“El, do you like this photo?”

” I would if it wasn’t for the clutter on the table”

***

Yesterday, the 19 February, El turned 19th. A baby in the family was also born – little Sasha from uncle Martin. So on all of the days of the year she chose to arrive on her cousin’s birthday and on his 19th Birthday!  Granny was over the moon -  and 19 has been always her lucky number.

How El’s character celebrates his birthday, in a short film he made with friends - number thirteen

“Mum, can I have a baby brother? We can put nappies on him and dress him pyjamas. Will you give him to me for my birthday? or, tomorrow?”

***

Today I was the person demonstrating cloth nappies to a very nice group of parents at Kintore Way Children’s Centre – such a fantastic place. While I was talking, the children  were playing with very good toys and the mums, well, the mums were knitting! – such a nice idea, it is the first children’s center/toddler group, where I saw mums busy and enjoying knitting, while watching their children. And at mid-moorning, they set up this cute low table with low chairs and serve the children some nice light food. The children were so grateful for these actions towards them. And it struck me that this was so nice, because the centre is located in a poor neighbourhood for not so well of parents (although it is for everyone) so these children who probably live on a council estate  at least they have somewhere nice to be for some hours a day, or some hours a week! and it is an escape to the mums, who were enjoying each others company! I must say I overstayed my welcome, and I not even wanted to demonstrate anything, I just wanted to chat, until the manager said to me ”do you know any nappy song?  because at this time we usually sing a song!” – right, time to go and leave them to be!

Definitely, children’s centres like this one in all poor neighbourhoods in the world would make a difference. The government is sure and I am sure  – because “every child matters”!

(“every child matters” is a green paper which was published alongside the formal response to the report into the death of Victoria Climbié)

With a bit of coaching , they went shopping for the ingredients and cooked for all the family.

Ironically this pair is made of a vegetarian tennager who does not want to learn to cook  and a pre-tennager who claims wants to be a chef when he grows up! 

They moaned, refused, went along, enjoyed each other company, realised that actually is not that hard work and felt proud.

haiti…caetano veloso and gilberto gil

Sharing one set of great-grandparents and having only one year apart, they only meet at parties – they are so sweet in their 11 and 12 years old of age!

Last October Dubie learning how to blow candles. Being the youngest she will never be short of a teacher

so much wanted to register here little ones growing up that I have missed to post for a whole three months. How did that happen? Am I in the future? Jan 2010 seem like a date set in the future, when I have four children,  Dan and  I have been together for 13 years and  I have been living  in England for 13 years.

I miss my Country. Fresh bread for breakfast, grandmas coffee, teenagers being nice, neighbours who know you better , cousins, friendship made simple, sun, torrential rain in the winter, the ligh in the morning…It is playing more and more on my mind to just go back.

For a start I would have a better looking prime minister …

picking up El from Brighton , being an invasion in his house and heading to the beach before returning home

Tour of Brighton by Tuc Tuc

this driver is clearly proud