The Christening....

Getting Christened is big business. Even Liverpool Cathedral where it took place was big. The event was an exhausting and altogether huge emotional and physical effort. You can imagine after all the stress leading up to the big day, wondering if he really would be "turned into Chris" or not, plus the exciting plane ride to Liverpool and whirlwind of visitors and well-wishers, that Jasper just had to chill out.

McDonalds HELL

Jazz: "Mummy, will McDonalds make me FAT?"
Me: "No, Jasper, of course not."
Jazz: "But Mummy, WHY?"
Me: "Well, you are very active"
Jazz: "And my blood can get rid of it. The fat. Because I have a high metabolism."
Me: "WHAT?"
Jazz: "A high metabolism, Mummy. I won't get fat from eating McDonalds. Can we go? Now? And get a toy?"

Well, who could say no to a boy who can rationalise it away through the fact he has a high metabolism? We went. BIG MISTAKE. It was Charity Day! We entered the McD's on Bandeirantes, after circling the block 3 times only to find a place to park 2 blocks away (a major no-no in SP). Once we had seen the (slightly scary) clowns, gotten about 3 slips of paper describing the charities we would be supporting by stuffing our faces with junk food, and been cavassed for scores of other donations and purchases, we made it in the doors. The lines! My God. The children. The noise. The chaos. The STRESS.
10 nuggets, 1 lost toy, 1 lost and retrieved hat, 20 slides down the slide, and an ice cream treat later, I found myself bribing the lad out the door with a trip to blockbuster and the purchase of a Hot Wheels car. Perhaps freezing my ass of at the beach might have been a slightly better proposition this past weekend, but the experience of it all was one for the books.

The Ketchup Flag

This one had to go in for the books. In early spring of this year, Jasper had decided that all condiments and accompaniments were called Ketchup, including Maple Syrup. Now, as Jasper eats, he often meditates on the objects around him, and the one at hand during french toast meals is of course the syrup bottle, which is decorated with a Canadian maple leaf. So when Jasper and I were in Canada in April, every time we passed a Canadian flag, Jasper shouted "Look Mummy! A Ketchup flag!" This went on for the better part of 4 months, but I think we have it figured out now. Unfortunately it hasn't left my consciousness yet. I still have trouble looking at a Canadian flag without getting cravings for french fries smothered in.... - well - you know.

Legoland Driving School

Jasper was very excited to go to Legoland, but the day after we were there, he told me he liked it "medium". The consensus was that it would have been better to spend 100GBP on a kick-ass lego toy rather than slog it out in the heat. The photo opportunities were nice, though, and Jasper proudly noted that he was a better driver than mummy during "driving school" lessons!

Car Trumpet

Today on the way to swimming lessons, Eduardo beeped at a car that wasn't moving. Jasper noted from the back seat that Eduardo used his "Car Trumpet" to get that silly taxi out of the way! That is certainly one for the books...

First Day of School!

Jasper has been at school for two weeks already! His teacher is Mrs. Christini, a lovely young woman with lots of patience. Jasper likes his new school, and I think it helps that some of his friends from Talk Kids are in his class. He's already got a playdate lined up with Afonso on Friday, and an invitation to a very hip Party Place for Tathiana's Birthday Party next Monday. He tells me that there are two "naughty boys" in his class who don't share and can be aggressive. But he is taking it all in stride, and continues to be in high spirits throughout the day and night!

Jasper the Boy

Jasper the Pilot: London Heathrow to Rome Fiumcino June 31 2006

OK. This is the first of hopefully many blogs which will keep you up-to-date on Jasper, and of course include photos on a regular basis. We are starting with summer holidays...

Jasper gets used to the idea of airplane chairs turning into beds. "Turn it into a bed mummy! And put on Cartoon Network on the big TV!" Don't get too used to that Jasper!