New gorgeousness

My new gorgeousness arrived today in the form of a custom made ring-sling by the ever so talented Monkey Mei Tai. Ben was in the middle of a wail about not wanting lunch or to go to school when the postie rang the doorbell, but once he'd made her laugh with his "hello Char-ley!!" while Charley sat on the floor as I signed for the parcel, we went back inside and Ben declared that whatever was inside the bag was for him.

I set him straight (it was MY gorgeous thing in there!) but once it was opened his eyes lit up and he asked if it was for him. He wanted a go first. So I popped him in and he snuggled into my neck and said he was my baby again... Even carrying a nearly-4-year-old was remarkably comfortable although I don't think it's a sling for long carries! After a fairly brief cuddle in there he was ready to have lunch and go to school, he even let Charley be put in the sling so we could walk there. Kiss and a cuddle and off he went without a backward glance. He's happy there. He just loves the safety and comfort of home as well!

Charley and I had a photoshoot in the garden while he was out to capture the new sling, and then as it became evident I was not to get any work done while Ben was out we headed out to post a parcel for Katie's Mummy, and to call in at the handful of house clearance shops and charity shops and other rick-rack shops on the way home. I came back with treasure - a plate that reminded me of my Grandma, I'm sure she had plates of the beautiful Royal Grafton "Indian Tree" design, and some coasters and a tray that I can happily paint black to use as part of my stall display.

And then Charley fell asleep 15 minutes before I was to go and pick Ben up. I'd promised to pick him up alone so he could have a ride home in the sling, but apart from Charley falling asleep it also started to rain and I didn't want to get the sling rained on just yet so Steve went to pick him up. His teacher on the door said to Steve that he'd been an absolute delight, really pleasant, very helpful, especially today! Ben said, on the way home, that Violet had pushed him. When asked why, he said it was because he'd ruined her painting. How? With a wet roller. You have to wonder really. They are not friends at the moment and Ben doesn't want to say sorry. We'll have to work on the sorry thing: the point of it, the reasons for it, and how it works. She's coming to his birthday party. I hope they're friends again by then!