Friday, February 23, 2007

Animals

Elias keeps roaring like a lion if I mention the word 'lion'. Sometimes, once he gets started, it's hard to get him to stop. ROOOOOOOOAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRR!

There are pigeons trying to nest on our balcony and they keep appearing during breakfast, much to the distraction of Eli who either stops eating and points or jumps down from his chair and chases them away.



He also likes to ride on our backs as if we were horses.

There is a local black cat that keeps crossing our path.

Squirrels are a current favourite to watch.

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Roar



You wouldn't think it from these pictures but Elias' latest trick is to roar. When I ask him if he is a little lion he roars loud and long and then again and again. Actually quite scary the first time.




He and I went to London Zoo last Saturday morning and took our lunch with us. We went round much more than usual, including some first time visits to the aviary and the aquarium Eli was mesmerised by the first tank in the aquarium. For about five minutes he stood stock still and stared and then, when he realised there were more tanks, insisted we move on and on and on until we stopped by the biggest fish in the biggest tank.

Thursday, February 15, 2007

Light relief

There has been a lot of writing ... here's a vid from earlier this year ...


Also from http://www.novareinna.com

Taurus Parent/Leo Child: These two individuals are both proud and upstanding by nature. Although the Leo child will want to play a greater role in public life than will the Taurus parent, the little Leo possesses enough personal confidence to take the necessary steps out into the world alone. Although the Taurus parent might not necessarily stand beside the Leo child in this respect, there will be constant support coupled with a strong and solid background for the child to fall back on should such be needed. This parent and child will share a love of grandeur and the Taurus parent will help the little Leo in his or her efforts to shine.

Libra Parent/Leo Child: The little Leo is sure to stand out in any family since the bubbly enthusiasm puts him or her center-stage but here, this child is likely to literally be the very light of the Libra parent's life. When the scales of Libra tip too low, the joy and enthusiasm of this little one will be exactly what is needed to restore balance. The Libra parent will have no problem in allowing the Leo child to take center-stage, being well aware how much such is desired, but discipline cannot be forgotten. The Leo child has a tendency to "boss" the soft-natured Libra parent and it will be necessary for the adult here to maintain a level of balance and fairness. If such is accomplished then to the Libra parent, the little Leo will indeed be the "divine child."

from http://www.novareinna.com/constellation/leochild.html

If the Leo child shows a particular interest in any hobby or pasttime, it is almost assured that this will be an interest to last for many years, if not an entire lifetime. The enthusiasm of this Sign is confident and very stable and such children do not seem to "come and go" as much as their peers. However, since little Leos are often fixed in their ways, it is vitally important to establish good childhood habits in terms of diet, exercise and manners, etc. It will be very difficult to change the behavior of this child once he or she reaches the teenage years and beyond. There is an extremely powerful creative urge present in this Sign and it would be a shame not to encourage this little one to express his or her creativity. Not all Leo children will be artistic and, indeed, there is a distinct difference between being "artistic" and "creative." This child may excel at painting, drawing or crafts, but could equally excel in stage productions, the kitchen, the garden or in the fields of sewing, story-writing or inventions.

The vitality of Leo is strong and children who are governed by this Sign are usually brimming with energy, possesed with a tendency to be bright, alert and constantly "on the go." Good sleeping habits are paramount since even very young children are apt to "burn themselves out." The heart and the back are areas of the body traditionally associated with Leo and such children should exercise both of these areas on a regular basis in order to remain healthy. Forms of exercise which contain a creative element...dancing, ice-skating and gymnastics, for example...are especially appealing to the little Leo and should be encouraged.

The Leo child will undoubtedly be exceedingly sensitive, self-willed, talented and intuitive. Thus, any caregiver should strive to teach this little one self-control while, at the same time, presenting an example of right living. A strong hand is required with these children in order to afford them guidance and to guard them against the many evils and vices to which they are prone by nature. Their minds and hands should be continually employed with pleasant, wholesome and useful tasks, keeping in mind that the child who falls under the jurisdiction of this Sign will need varied amusements to constantly be supplied. Every effort should be made to provide the correct training and restraint in order for the little Leo to develop into the grand and noble character which he or she is so capable of becoming. While these children learn quickly, they are not fond of studying.

Of course, as this little one grows, the personality will develop. There is a tendency here to be high-tempered and caregivers need to be cautious of exhibiting impatience and/or anger in the correction of this child. As he or she reaches maturity, there will be an abundant display of vigor and determination, coupled with a love of drama and plenty of exuberance.



The Ruling "Planet" of the Sun gives the children of Leo a naturally warm-hearted and fun-loving personality. In short, these little ones are full of life, which can frequently get them into mischief. Being very sensitive souls, they require a great deal of sympathy and, if such is withheld, may become so combative that it results in an ungovernable nature. Since Leo is one of the Fire Signs (together with Aries and Sagittarius), any child governed by this element will need to learn patience above all else. Second in importance will be to learn respect for the rights and feelings of others. Last (but certainly not least), children of Fire should be afforded every opportunity to work off excess energy...play, sports and dancing are all excellent avenues. Talk works much better than punishment with Fire children. In fact, too much punishment can easily result in a rebellious and "wild child."

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

This car story is unbelievable...

Before I hand over to stefanie to tell the car story I would like to tell of how I just got back from a couple of days in Romania and that being away, even for a short time, allows me to see where Eli is at more objectively. His eagerness to talk is all to evident and, though it may still take some time, we are communicating more and more effectively.

A couple of nights ago we were complicit in a game of hide and seek where we both hid under his cot and I called Stefanie to come into the room where we were hidden. Eli totally understood how the game worked and wanted to hide even better by tucking himself behind my legs. I forsee many extensive games of 40/40.

Last weekend we went to Camden Market where Eli was mezmerised (sp?) by the people and sights and sounds. Despite all the attractions, including the mini waterfall in the tarot readers' room, he still managed to find a step ladder behind the man selling mix CDs. So, to the sound of Gil Scott Heron, Eli stood on top of a step ladder in Camden Market for about ten minutes.

So, the car story...

...donc durant l'absence de Paul pour un voyage en Roumanie...moi seule avec Elias..la premiere 'castagnette'.....hier comme d'habitude avant de rentrer a la maison j'ai laisse Elias jouer dans la voiture. Comme d'hab je lui donne la clef de la maison et je garde la clef de la voiture juste au cas ou.....Puis pendant que Elias s'amuse, je decide de reparer un petit truc dans le coffre et...pour etre sure que ca marche bien, je ferme le coffre!!!! et....OUI...avec la clef de la voiture a l'interieur! et comme Elias a du peser sur un petit bouton qui ferme les portes a clef!!! donc clef de maison et clef de voiture dans la voiture fermee a clef avec Elias....ahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa la panique! l'angoisse totale!! et comme je ne voulais pas que Elias me voit partir (a la recherche de...hmmm...aide ou autre...) j'ai arrete la premiere personne/vehicule que j'ai vu passer! C'etait un camion de livraison Tesco et lui ai demander de m'aider vu que dans ma tete tout tournait a 200km sans vraiment savoir quoi faire! Il m'a dit calmement 'il faut casser la fenetre' moi 'ok avez vous quelque chose a me donner pour faire ca' lui 'oui mais moi je ne le fait pas! c'est a vous de le faire!' Il m'a passe une grosse lampe de poche mais en vain, puis une barre de fer qui a ete tres efficace! 2 coups et c'etait fait (je me suis assuree que Elias ne soit pas dans le champs de verre brise! Tout cela c'est passe dans l'espace de 5min max! je n'ai pas attendu/reflechi plus loin - pour moi la chose/personne! la plus importante c'etait Elias! je ne voulais pas attendre trop longtemps car si il avait compris qu'il etait enferme je crois qu'il aurait panique et je ne voulais pas le marque pour une histoire si bete! (oui tres bete la maman!!!) Alors voila! j'ai eu la peur de ma vie! la chance de casse une fenetre comme un voleur pour la premiere fois de ma vie! Puis un Elias qui n'a pas compris grand chose mais qui avait l'air assez amuse par tout ca! car apres ca je suis allee chez mes voisins demander si ils pouvaient m'aider a mettre un plastic sur la fenetre (vu que Paul n'etait pas la jusqu'a aujourd'hui!!), puis tout le verre casse, puis il faisait sombre, etc.etc...finalement nous sommes rentre, mange et Elias a passe une excellente nuit! Il a surement rever de ca maman qui sautait dans tout les senses entrain de paniquer totalement en essayant de briser la fenetre de la voiture!! hahahaha....

A part ca, mon petit mec pique des crises journalieres! ou j'ai envie de disparaitre sous terre tellement que je me sens mal et que j'ai honte quand ca arrive! Si il ne peut pas avoir ce qu'il veut il hurle et ce rend tout mou et c'est impossible de le porter donc il se retrouvre par terre a hurler! ou alors a raidir son corps a un point ou ce n'ai pas possible de l'asseoir dans le siege de voiture par example ou encore a hurler pendant 15min (ca n'a l;air de rien, mais 15min de hurlement c'est long!) voir plus!

On a l'impression qu'il va bientot parler! on se comprend de mieux en mieux....c'est peut-etre aussi pour ca qu'il pique ses crises, il est frustrer de ne pas pouvoir mieux communiquer ce qu'il veut/ce don't il a besoin/et autres!!....

Paul et de retour! ourrraaahhhhhh....

Sunday, February 11, 2007

Big snow

We had big snow this week. We went out in the morning on Hampstead Heath and it was deep and still snowing. In the afternoon Stefanie and Elias got up to some toboganning antics (see video below) with Penel, Ben and Jude whilst I was on a two hour conference call :(

Sunday, February 04, 2007

fevrier 2007

Elias a 1 an et demi aujourd'hui!!! oooohoooohoooooooo!!!!

On a passe le weekend a Lavenham (dans le Suffolk) avec Ben, Pinal et Jude - c'etait un essai pour voir si ca pouvait se faire facilement, donc on y est alle hier, les mecs ensembles, puis Pinal et moi plus tard vu que l'on travaillait le matin, puis on est tous rentre cet apres-midi - et oui, tout c'est tres bien passe! pas la meilleure nuit de notre vie mais pour nous (Paul, Elias et moi) juste un reveil, puis on s'est fait reveiller par notre petit amour a 7h vu que l'on a tous dormi ensemble dans 2 lits appondus avec barrieres dans lesquels Jude et Elias se sont fait le plaisir de se croire sur un trampoline! - Bref...donc weekend que l'on a bien envire de refaire regulierement! Elias c'est fait un plaisir de monter et descendre les escaliers maintes fois, de mettre la tete dans la cheminee pour y voir le ciel (c'est pas tres haut vu que c'est un cottage et la cheminee est propre!!!), puis de courir dans la nature et s'amuser avec un chien qui a decide de nous accompagner pour un moment, puis de prendre un bain avec Jude et aussi de partir a la decouverte de tirroires et autres avec Jude!

Sinon la vie est belle - Elias a decouvert le mot "non' ou plutot 'na'! alors "tu veux sortir Elias?' "Na' - "Tu veux rester a la maison Elias?" "Na" - "qu'est-ce que tu veux faire Elias?' "Na"!!!!! Voila...ou...ce soir il a decider de prendre son petit aspirateur avec lui au parc ! Mais une fois dehors c'est Jude qui a voulu l'aspirateur et Elias le velo trop grand de Jude! -

...et alors..."ainsi font, font font, les petites marionnettes" c'est ca chanson preferee! Chantee au reveil, avec gants, chaussettes, rouleau de papier de toilette ou autres sur les mains!!!....

Puis il a 3 canines qui sont entrain de sortirent!!!

A bientot