Liam

Although Liam (and probably most children) cannot compete with the total chaos Julia could create in seconds at his age.... he does manage to steal away and enjoys a good mess.

His latest stunts revolve around 2 things - 1. Cream and 2. Water. It is a marvelous achievement to combine both of these!! Within seconds he can launch himself into the kitchen sink and Oh... there is a third 3. Soap... pumps enormous amounts of liquid soap from the dispenser. He joyfully rubs the soap into whatever he is wearing but his hair takes priority. A few months ago I gave up on purchasing liquid soap and all soap dispensers are filled with a very dilute dish washing liquid. Although this can be confusing and possibly somewhat disturbing for guests, it is good for my budget and inner peace. He easily empties a soap dispenser a day ( Yes, think relentless.... EVERY TIME I turn my back, walk to another room, pee etc ... he gets hold of soap). Perhaps I could discipline this out of him - but am terrified he will resort to something less harmless to entertain himself.

Yesterday I was talking on the phone to my great friend and neighbour Mrs S whose teenager has recently discovered the world of dating. I was just thinking how lucky I was to not be faced with some of the things she is having to deal with .... when I walked into my bathroom to find Liam sitting in the sink. He had filled it up with water (not surprising) and then unpacked the bathroom cupboard of anything cream-like and squeezed endless amounts of body scrub, face cream, factor 75 sun block (think very thick and oily) and more cream, all onto the top of his head. Having a phone in one hand and without a camera easily available, I did not capture the scene on film. But it is well burned into my mind. I sent him out the bathroom with wet pants and did not do much to tackle the cream hair. A few moments later I was entertained by the neighbour girls who came knocking to play. When Liam appeared at the door both recoiled involuntarily with exclamations of "uuuuughh" and then "What is in his hair?" This pleased Liam mightily. Apparently he got his hair just right.