Fwd: Status report

Being a dad with one nearly 4, the other nearly 2 is keeping me on my

toes. As always there are wonderful 'Hallmark' moments, and many that
miss the mark by far. Right now i'm lying down with Isaac who is a
fun-loving grumpy bastard. He's finally learned to smile in photos
when we say 'cheese' he really does. It's fun :). But he has an
annoying practice of whining for something and no matter what i give
him - food,drink,toy,attention, its never the right thing. Or i didn't
give it to him in just the right way. Aaaargh! He is 88 cm tall
according to the dinosaur height chart we bought for Christmas.

Words he says?
Cheese, mumma, dadda, pwease (please), let go, & no!

Patrick and I are throwing water balloons to each other now, and
eating peanut butter and honey sandwiches, as well as listening to the
rumbling of the cement mixers as workers pour concrete down to make our
currently bone-jarring street into a smooth-riding avenue. Thanks be
to the Good Spirit for that!

Patrick is 102cm tall according to old Dino on the wall, and is fluent
in English. Counting to ten is a breeze, but gets a bit random after
that. He can argue with his parents and tease us. He has more Khmer
(Cambodian) than he lets on. We catch him talking to the neighbours
with words we didn't think he knew. He loves watching Play School,
Kung Fu Panda, Cars, Curious George, Bob the Builder, but not scarry
movies - he'll run away and hide, or hold his hands to his ears.

PATRICK also attends play school three mornings a week, and a Khmer
tutor comes to play with him and Isaac on different days.

Oh, and Sam is a far more patient parent than I am.

Magpies

This afternoon has brought me a lot of joy and happiness as a father.

When Patrick woke from his afternoon sleep we walked down the back yard of my parent's house to find a magpie or two, and throw some bread at them.

I was enthralled by Patrick toddling down the garden, tearing off a chunk of bread and throwing it to the magpie.

What was even more gratifying was that the magpie had been waiting for us - seeing us from his afternoon nap spot, he rushed from under a tree straight for Patrick, and the bread he was holding. No fear, just eager for a feed. Once Patrick threw the bread at him it was a different matter! Chasing the magpie around a clump of gum trees.