days of wonder

Iain has been delightful since he was born--and it just keeps getting better. His imagination is the most fertile, and his laugh the readiest. For months we have been treated to 'boats' (a half-eaten cookie), and seen any number of things used as a telephone or a sword.

Yesterday, though, was the very best yet. We were walking across one of the bridges over the river Wear and Iain was looking down at the water. He watched so intently and for so long, I wondered what he saw. Then he asked: 'Are those fairies?' I thought for a minute he'd seen a couple of boats--ferries, perhaps. When I looked for myself, I saw the sunlight playing on the rippling surface of the water as it does, giving the impression of blinking stars, or diamonds (if you're Eric Clapton).

Fairies? I never would have thought of that. Thanks, Iain, for reminding me how magical the world really is.

I for Iain

I admit I am hopelessly behind with the news. But this pressed itself on me and insisted on being publicized.

Of course Iain should have been eating some supper, but he wasn't. He decided he needed paper and a marker, and wouldn't be persuaded even by the promise of something sweet. So be it: we let him draw. And suddenly a little voice at the end of the table said 'I for Iain'! We looked up, and there he was, holding up the paper, having written a very clear capital 'I'.

No sooner had we gasped in awe over (and applauded) the I than Iain put the paper back down and started another drawing, explaining 'T for Thomas'. And there it was--a T.

Now I have no idea whether a 3.5-year-old is supposed to be able to do that. I don't care. We thought it was pretty cool.