For the benefit of those few people who follow my Gingatopian Chronicles (namely Jillian...er...who doesn't really count), I'd like to apologise for my recent apparent lack of enthusiasm and dedication to the blog. Actually, I'd especially like to apologise to Tempy and Poppy (you know who you are) who are the only people to have asked me why I've been so slack recently. At the end of the day (quite literally), all I've wanted to do, when I arrive home from work, is settle down with Jilly, Evelyn and Kieran (when he can spare the rest of the family time to stay in with us (or he's grounded)), instead of sitting down to write about settling down with them (if that makes any sense).
Anyway, quite a lot has happened since I last added an entry, including the marriage of John and Katie and Evelyn suffering a bout of Tonsillitus, but most of all, I'd like to recount some (more) of the amusing and entertaining things Evelyn has done recently. Whatever I write about in this entry will be in no particular order, just the one in which I remember them.
Streptococcal Tonsillitis
At the end of September, Evelyn developed Tonsillitis. After a few days of Evelyn being under the weather, and having two terrible nights' sleep, Jilly took Evie to the GPs (Thursday 26 September 2007) to discover that she had Tonsillitis. Usually reluctant to give Evie anti-biotics, Jilly and I were quick to administer Evie's 'banana medicine' (which she loves!), and Evie seemed to make a very rapid recovery.
The Things Children Say
Postman Pat
Jilly, Evelyn and I were playing Postman Pat's Balancing Parcels Action Game (the one Jim loved so much, during our holiday in the Lakes), the other day, when Jilly began to suspect that Evelyn was holding the already stacked parcels as she added another on her turn.
"Evelyn, do you cheat?", Jilly asked Evelyn.
After a moment's hesitation, Evelyn replied,
"Yes. Sometimes!"
I'm still laughing...
...and, of course, given the obvious quality of the game, it's only a matter of time before Jim asks to borrow it!
Buddering Around
According to Jilly, Evelyn was pottering around her bedroom a few mornings ago when, obviously intent on finding something apparently hidden. After some concentrated searching, Evelyn found what she was after, and Jilly heard her mumble the following expression,
"Oh! Someone's been buddering around with this!"
Evelyn can't (or, certainly, doesn't) say the 'guh' ('G') sound; instead, she says 'duh' ('D')! That's right, Evelyn was saying, "Oh! Someone's been buggering around with this!” I can't think where she gets it from, but Jilly was quick to remind her that that was an expression a litle girl shouldn't be using.
A Woman Scorned
Jill recently put a cork notice board up on the wall above Evelyn's bed. One of Evelyn's favourite phographs has always been this one of her and Alex when we were on holiday at the Vale of Pickering. Jilly put the photograph on Evelyn's notice board, but was immediately told to take it down.
"I don't like Alex anymore mummy; he took baby Lucy [Evelyn's doll] off me!"
I recommend that you learn sooner, rather than later, Alex;
"Heav'n has no Rage, like Love to Hatred turn'd,
Nor Hell a Fury, like a Woman scorn'd."
William Congreve, in The Mourning Bride, 1697.
D...I...S...C...O...
I've made reference, before, to Evelyn's beautiful singing; but nothing could have prepared me for what she started singing the other day. Apparently, 'that new nursery' has begun playing 1970's classic disco to the children as Evelyn is now regularly treating us to her rendition of Ottowan's DISCO. If you're not familiar with the lyrics, they go a little something like,
She is D desirable
She is I irresistible
She is S super sexy
She is C such a cutie [She is a cutie!]
She is O oh, oh, ooohhhhhh!
Of course, all Evelyn sings (very badly (beautifully)) is the opening 'D.I.S.C.O (3x)'. Fantastic!.
In addition, Evelyn also regularly sings along to CBeebies 'Goodnight Song' and almost every children's TV show theme tune she hears.
Perhaps, we're allowing Evelyn to watch a little too much TV?
Change in the Seasons
As winter approaches, the nights, inevitably, get longer: this is something which, obviously, isn't apparent to Evelyn (she's only three!). Evelyn and I were sat watching In the Night Garden a few weeks ago, when Evelyn first announced (with some degree of relish),
"Daddy, I'm staying up late, aren't I!", as she looked out of the living room window at the darkness outside. It seemed to please Evelyn, knowing that she was staying up later than usual. While Evelyn still, occasionally, makes reference to how she is staying up late, I think the novellty is wearing off now.
1...2...3...
Jilly and I can only assume that it's a threat used at 'that new nursery', because it is remarkably affective at home. If ever Evelyn is refusing to do as she is told (or, certainly, taking her time to do it) all Jilly and I have to do is threaten to start counting to three! Occasionally (and, it has to be admittedly, more frequently, just lately!), Jilly or I will have to begin the count but, Evelyn will do as she's been asked/told before we finish the count...every time. Absolutely MAGIC!, but we know it won't last.
A Chip off the Old Block
Jilly, I mean, not me. Evelyn has started giggling to herself as she farts (not all the time, but occasionally). What's worse, is that these farts (and I'm sure she must have farted before, given the amount of fruit she eats everyday) SMELL!
Happy Feet
I’ve always loved Jilly’s beautiful liddle feet, and Evelyn has (in my opinion, certainly) inherited Jilly's beautiful piddies. I so want to eat Evie's liddle 'pea toes' and, knowing it, she's always teasing me with them.
For some reason, Evelyn refuses to let me have them with my sausages and chips, and a little mint sauce...liddle meanie!
Evelyn’s Parent’s Evening – 18 September 2007
It’s with very great pride that I can announce that Evelyn seems to be becoming a bit of an technophile. Jilly and I went to ‘that new nursery’s’ parents’ evening recently, where we discovered that (apart from getting on with the other children very well, and generally being very bright) Evelyn is adept at using the PC. Leanne (Evelyn’s key worker) recorded how Evelyn is very quick to type letters on the keyboard, but only using her index finger (doesn’t everyone start with one finger typing?) I read this comment to Evelyn, and asked her to show me her typing finger… Ah! Bless!
Visit to Tropical World, Roundhay - 29th September 2007
In a precursor to celebrations for Jilly's up-and-coming 39th birthday (NO! 39? Really?), and in an attempt to escape the season's bitter cold as we approached October (let's be honest - it hasn't been at all cold, yet, has it?), Jilly suggested that she and Evelyn might like a visit to Tropical World. A lovely day was had by all.
Kate and John's Wedding Bash - 5th October 2007
Kate and John married on 29th September, in the good ol' US of A. On their return, Kate and John invited members of both families to join them for a celebratory Greek dinner at The Olive Tree, in Rodley (lovely food, excellent evening). The photographs are a collection of photo's taken by myself, Ben and Jean (which - partially - explains why Ben and Jean appear on so few of them!)
So, as Jilly hasn't been feeling at all well just recently, I had the pleasure of taking Evelyn to Greenhead Park this evening, to take a ride on the Ghost Train. The weather was perfectly mild, and Evelyn and I enjoyed our ride on the train (with Jim and Dom; and Andrew, Justine and Elly). 
