My new xylophone

Dylan was thrilled to discover this xylophone in the shop yesterday. "Look, Mum! Look! X like xylophone... just like in that alphabet book!" he shouted. (of course all alphabet books have either an x-ray or a xylophone to represent that elusive letter X) I had to reward his observation by buying it for him and we are now entertained all day with songs from his repertoire, and some made up by himself! Especially cute is when he put it on the table beside Alan's headphones and said, "Dylan will just download some songs from Dad's MP3 player..." My favourite songs of the day were the original tunes I Do Like You and Dad is Coming Home on the Bus Right Now... No doubt you'll be hearing his songs on the radio one day!

E

Is global warming to blame?

I'm not sure, but what I do know is that we don't usually get snow in April! At least 4 inches fell this morning as I frantically pulled my wet (and snowy) clothes in off the line and Alan dashed about trying to cover up all our spring buds and blossoms. Dylan had a marvellous time playing in it and throwing snowballs with Daddy. Afterwards we came inside and made hot chocolate... Definitely conjures up images of Christmas and not spring!

Drama!

Did you know that now, in 2008, children still get scarlet fever? Apparently they do. I know, because one of my kids has it! Yikes! I thought it was a disease of children's classic literature... after all, didn't Beth in Little Women succumb to it? Didn't Mary from Little House on the Prairie go blind as a result? (okay, so maybe I did read too much when I was a kid...) You can imagine my panic when Dylan got a temperature that wouldn't come down below 100 degrees, was strangely lethargic and suddenly was covered with a decidedly scarlet rash.... Off to the clinic we went. The good news is that in this day and age, they can give you antibiotics for it and it will go away relatively quickly. No need to burn all his toys and clothes (a la The Velveteen Rabbit) and put a quarantine sign on the door. Thank goodness for that! We've had him on the meds since last night and already he's perking up. Am just about to serve him up a bowl of ice cream (at 10:30 in the morning!)... I bet that makes him happier too. Here's hoping for a v. speedy recovery,
E