It seems a universal tendency for little boys to collect cards/stickers with popular motifs attached to them. In my day it was only footballists, but nowadays you can also get Pokemon, Bakugan and Moshi Monsters (amongst many others). Sam has settled on the last one at the moment. Normally this would be an expensive undertaking, trying to complete the set one random pack at a time. Fortunately nowadays eBay can provide a full set for a few pounds. Some might think this takes away most of the fun of collecting. Fortunately Sam’s desire for instant gratification overwhelms any such objections, so everyone is happy. Except when we have to have all the monsters explained to us.

My cousin is complaining that I’m slacking on the blog, so herewith, one update.

We went to school a couple of weeks ago for parents’ night. As always it was rather awkward – the teachers say how great the kids are, we thank them, and then we all look uncomfortable while we work out if we’ve sat there long enough for appearances’ sake.

Sam had to have a couple of teeth removed (either side of the front ones) to make room for more in his elfin-like jaw. He was apprehensive about it, understandably, but it turned out the dentist had some spare time after sorting out Lauren’s, so they were whipped out there and all was good.

We went for our first full-family bike ride today (at least the first where I wasn’t pulling Sam along). Everyone did fine, except for the bit where Sam hit the floor. He’s been limping somewhat theatrically for the rest of the day, except when he forgot to of course.

Yesterday we went to an open day at the National Oceanography Center in Southampton. Parts were rather dry, but overall the kids quite enjoyed it. Part of the incentive was a ride out in our new car (yay!).

Finally, we’ve ramped up the number of clubs quite substantially, so they’re both doing drama and music, while Sam is doing gym and Lauren’s in orchestra. All seems enjoyable thus far, so we’ll see what sticks.

Two days in, and they’ve both avoided being told off, so they’re keen to tell me. Lauren has offered to walk Sam in to school, though we’re giving him a little while to settle in first (and to let Claire get used to that idea). Sam’s now a desk and chair monitor, which means he has to go in a little earlier, while Lauren has chosen to go into (staying in, really) the highest spelling group (sample word: “photosynthesis”).

We got a call last night from 1st Stubbington Beaver Scouts, as a result of which Sam will attend his first meeting tonight. He’s very excited about it, and had me google for the uniform (which I did very carefully) while he sang “Daddy loves the beavers”. He won’t be able to stay there long (we think he’ll move up once he’s 8), but it’s a foot in the door for the next rung on the ladder. That sounds more depressing than it is.

Sam lost his first tooth yesterday, leaving him with a Mad Magazine-style smile. He was pleased to receive a visit from the tooth fairy; it appears the going rate is £1 per tooth, though it’s not yet clear if that applies to lesser dentition.