On Monday this week, son Chris and his family arrived in New Zealand. Based in Palmerston North, they have made day trips and a weekend
visit to Wellington, and they will join Miang and me at Waitarere 
beach for Christmas and Boxing day.On our first expedition we went to the local playground in Khandallah, where James met met Mark Hunter's son, Sam. Both boys were very courteous, and when Sam fell over, James asked "are you alright?"
James, who is 3 years and 3 months, hadn't seen me for over a year, and so it took a little while to get to know
"Granddad Paul", but b
y the time of his second visit, I was in great demand for reading stories, assembling jigsaw puzzles, and playing the horn, the latter being a source of horrified fascination.Thomas seemed to respond well to my theory that all infants, when hel
d, like to grip grandparent fingers, or have their feet dance on grandparent legs. He is such a sweet fellow, blessed with an extremely kind big brother.James's favourite read was a curious book of "Fables" which Miang had bought, including geese with golden eggs, little boys crying wolf, and goats failing to look before they leap. What terrible things we adults do to young minds!
By the way, James is clearly reading. Is this something that 3+ year olds are supposed to do? Oh and he can also sing very well. Is it OK to boast about the cleverness of grandchildren? Such difficult questions I have to wrestle with.
Dear Paul,
ReplyDeleteIn answer to your concluding question: Yes, it is OK - it is one of the priviliges and joys of grandparents. By the way, you look great in the pictures, particularly with the horn and your hair growing back. It is the best Christmas present any of us, your friends, could have wished for. Lots of love and best wishes, Milo and Irina