What a superb weekend we had last weekend. We went on our little family adventure to visit friends in Canberra, and it was great. Harrison was in superb form and it was interesting for Lis and I to learn and to take him out of his little comfort zone.
The first challenge was getting there. It is about a 3 hour trip to Canberra, which is about double the longest time he has spent in a car (although not the longest time he’s spent travelling – that was the thoroughly enjoyable plane journey to and from the UK last year). We timed it so that he would have a bit of sleep in the car, so the first part of the journey was fine. As soon as we were on the motorway he nodded off and had a good hours’ sleep.
As soon as we stopped in Goulbourn and got out of the car, the icy wind knocked us for six. The Big Man had never been in conditions so cold and initially he didn’t want to put his jacket on. As soon as he got outside and a slight whinge happened, it didn’t take a lot to convince him to put on his beanie and jacket.
Our friends have a 3 year-old daughter and a little dog as well. As soon as we got there the dog jumped up and licked Harrison all over. At first he liked it, but very soon he didn’t and he was scared of the dog for the rest of the weekend. This was tough as the dog was the nicest, most excitable and licky dog I have seen in a while, but it was banished to go sit in it’s bed most of the time we were there.
Harrison and Lil played so well together. There was the initial fight to show who was dominant, with both not giving an inch or sharing toys, but that was quickly ironed out. Obviously at bath time it was a joint effort, and photos were taken to be brought out at their 18th or 21st birthdays, but that is what parents are supposed to do. Next up was the big test: bed time.
Harrison was sleeping on a mattress on the floor in the same room as us. I put him down at the same time as Lil went down as well and went downstairs. It had been about 10 mins and we heard some scuttling upstairs, so up we went. There they were on the landing, thick as thieves. Lil asked if Harrison could sleep in her bed. It took me 18 years to get an offer like that from a girl, and my son has done it in 2! So into her bed they both went, and downstairs we went.
Again 10 mins later more scuttling. Up I went and caught Harrison red-handed as he was new to this game, but Lil had jumped into her bed. It was decided that now they would sleep in the double bed as there wasn’t enough room for them in the little toddler bed. Back to dinner we go. The final act of fighting off sleep was the two little ones whispering seriously to each other. What they could have been talking about who knows, but they clearly didn’t quite understand whispering yet, as they were whispering almost at the same volume as talking. Up we went, and this time Harrison requested to go to bed. It was 9.30pm – the latest he has ever been awake – and he conked out.
The rest of the weekend they were both thick as thieves, playing together, reading books together, holding hands and cuddling. It was so cute – it looks like he has a new bestie. How can we compete this week? Happy fathering.