5 Things That Made Me Smile This Week

Photo by Tina Phillips

Taking Stock...

1. Goldilock's Waiter Shock - My Dad took me out for a lovely meal in an Indian restaurant on Saturday, to round up on my week-long 21st birthday! When the waiter came round to take our order for drinks, Goldilocks decided she wanted to be different. Instead of ordering Pepsi or lemonade like the rest of us, she put on her poshest tone and said "Sparkling water, please."
2. Goldilocks's Brilliant Solo - Dad, my sister and her boyfriend surprised us with a birthday cake at this meal, complete with singing candle! The candle must have been planned because the grown-ups were to embarrassed to sing themselves, leaving Goldilocks to come to the rescue! Luckily she relished the opportunity and chose to sing me Happy Birthday in Welsh rather than English, which she also did on the day of my birthday. If she knows how to say it in Welsh, then she says it in Welsh constantly - it's just like Goldilocks to choose her preferred language at 5 years old! This makes me smile every day :)
3. The Kindness Of Others - I am officially unable to manage a trip to the school and back thanks to this horrid PGP. Being in the flat and halfway up a mountain does not help as stairs and hills make it worse! Big Bear now stays up after every shift to take Goldilocks to school and my mum picks her up from school. A close friend has also offered to pick her up or bring her home if I'm ever stuck. I'm very grateful for their kindness.
4. Big Bear and Goldilocks - The relationship between Goldilocks and Big Bear has come on in leaps and bounds. Big Bear is now more understanding of her difficulties and has taken a step back, using my strategies more often. They seem to be having lots more fun together when he's off work. Goldilocks has referred to Big Bear as "Daddy" for a long time, but in the past week she's started referring to him as "My Dad", saying things like "I can't wait to see my dad". I had my window open as I saw them walking off to school, Goldilocks running ahead slightly and laughing hysterically. Seeing how happy they were was a very squishy moment for me!
5. Little Bear's (almost) First Word - His babbling has been progressing quite rapidly recently and is forming the rhythms of a conversation. He tried very hard to creep his way out of naps and bedtime by giving whoever is holding him a big cuddle! I always rock him for a few moments, saying "Awww, that's a lovely cuddle" or something along those lines. It may be my imagination, but I swear he's starting to say "cuddle" when we are having a cuddle. It still amazes me how fast they develop!