It seems too decadent to have a bank holiday when Easter has just so soon passed. Then there is another in May before the long slog through to August. That is the cruellest one as one contemplates the end of summer and the fact that there are no more holidays until Christmas. These facts are more important to me than ever because I have almost no other holiday left for the rest of the year (the little I do have I need to keep to ensure I don't have to return to work between Christmas and New Year).
That grumble aside it is difficult not to be optimistic and hopeful in the spring. The good weather and light mornings makes walking the dogs at 5am something of a pleasure. In the evening Jay and Harriet typically join us and there's no doubt that if you can put the blight that is our next door neighbour's house out of sight this is one of the most beautiful and peaceful corners of England. Even the dogs seem to be in better cheer and have not murdered any rabbits recently (Mango is another story of course but let's not give the elderly serial killer too hard a time since she is clearly enjoying herself).
Our diary is pretty full. This weekend my parents, sister, brother-in-law, niece and her friend have been in London to see a show (my brother-in-law has kicked off the series of significant birthdays that will take place this year and next). We met them in our new local, The Green Man on Berwick Street (just off Oxford Street) and then I decided to take a chance on visiting Little Venice. Thanks to reading the Metro I knew there was some special event on and indeed despite my misgivings it all turned out very well and we had a good walk along the canal and lunch in a nice little pub.
Next week Aunty Betty is down to see Harriet since she was away when we visited Scotland. Then Gill and Chris are stopping off en-route to Europe. We're away in Arto for the next precious Bank Holiday then it's off to Karen and Chris' new place. Then it's our anniversary. Then it's... well you get the picture.
Time flies and our little girl is developing and growing each day. Jay needs to manage the complex wardrobe rotation as she becomes too big for some things and not quite big enough for others. She is becoming increasingly aware of her hands and feet and her control of them. We are hopeful that soon she will start sucking her thumb in preference to the dummy. She's had her injections and will be going back for some more in four weeks. A month after that she will start trying her first solid based food. Terrifying.
In the glorious spring sunshine, amidst the beauty of the resurgent trees and plants, the contented sunbathing dogs and warm buzz of family and friends it is her piercing gaze and dazzling smile that tells us just how blessed we truly are.
