Arthur’s First Steps

Halloween is just round the corner and it won’t be long before it’s time to take the kids around trick or treating. And well, before you have hundreds of kids knocking at your door looking for sweets and candy. Halloween isn’t such a big thing here in Europe, but here in the Isle of Man we have a corresponding feast called Hop-tu-Naa which is almost equivalent.

Anyway, Tetra Pak have a suggestion for this Halloween. Instead of giving trick or treaters junk and sweets, how about handing them a carton of chocolate milk instead? It’s healthy and good for them, and the packaging is easily recyclable. They’ve put together a website with all the details called Trick or Treat Me, where they talk about the idea and even have a coupon offer for people based in the US can get money off coupons on Hersheys milk (chocolate, strawberry or plain) and Organic Valley cartons of milk.

I must say, it’s an idea I haven’t come across before, but it’s a great showcase of a company thinking laterally about the market it works on and how it can tie it with an upcoming celebration. As they say, it’s a healthy alternative and it doesn’t wreck the environment, so ic you want to do something different this year, check out: Twick or Tweet Me

You might have noticed a bit of a gap in my blogging over the last couple of weeks, though there has been some action on my personal blog, but for those not in the loop, we’ve been blessed with a gorgeous set of twins; a boy and a girl who we’ve named Alexander and Aristea. Here’s what they look like now that they’re a week and a half old (click for a larger image):

Twins and mum are all doing fine; and Arthur and I are over the moon. I’m not going to say they’re not hard work (my lack of online time will probably attest to that); but we’re enjoying each sleep-deprived minute and are looking forward to what the future has in store.

Just wanted to drop a line to everyone who sent us best wishes whether it was via blog comment, email, Twitter or Facebook. I’d love to reply to each and every of the hundreds of messages individually, but I can’t promise I’ll have the bandwidth to do it. Just keep watching the usual channels and I’ll keep you posted with any developments.

Today was the first official day for Arthur’s new scholastic year. Arthur started the day by going to Manor Park. Silly Mummy forgot to take Arthur’s home-work with us. After school Arthur went to lunch at Aunty Cathy’s and Amirah’s. Then he went off to Hopes & Dreams for an afternoon session.

Arthur seemed to have a wonderful day.

Amirah joined Arthur & Mummy at Church and Little Church. Then, Arthur & Mummy took Amirah and her Mummy to lunch at Colours. We then went to a carboot sale in Castletown and to the playground. It was a lovely warm day.

Daddy stayed at home doing all sorts of DIY in the house.

After Gym, Arthur was had Rebekah’s birthday party at Braddan Hall. Arthur had a wonderful time meeting all his friends and playing with them.

Then Arthur was invited to spend the night at Amirah’s. Needless to say both Arthur & Amirah were extatic at spending the night together.

Today was Arthur’s last morning at Hopes & Dreams, so he was given a present of a picture with self portraits of all the children he was at preschool with.

It was a lovely day, so we went on to Nobles Park with Amirah & Cathy to enjoy the last bit of sunshine for the year, and time ran away with us. We had to dash to ballet. Just made it on time. We cannot wait to see him in the show.

Arthur started preschool today at Manor Park. He looked so cute in his uniform and so grown up. His teacher is called Mrs Hicks.

Amirah started school with him too. As a treat, we took them to McDonald’s to celebrate going to school.

Arthur actually read the whole book “Play with us” 1A by Ladybird all on his own today. It is impressive how fast his reading is progressing. Considering he is not quite 3 yet, he is doing well.

Because our car is at the mechanics, Amirah and her Mummy came with Mummy to collect Arthur from school to go swimming. It was the start of a new swimming term. Apparently, they are thinking of not giving certificates at the end of the course because it constitutes too much paper work!

Mummy was showing Arthur a picture of Arthur on her phone and she asked Arthur… “Who is that?” and Arthur replied, “Arthur.” Mummy then said, “then, who are you?”.
“I am Arthur!”, he replied.
“Two Arthurs? It cannot be.” Mummy said.
“I am a different Arthur!” Arthur exclaimed.

How do you reason with that?

It was also the first time that Mummy heard Arthur use the word Different.