Dear Little N

Dear little N,

We had such a lovely day today. You won't remember a thing about it when you're bigger so I wanted to write about it so that I, at least, would remember. I collected you at 10 and we went to the Botanics. The rhododendrons and azaleas were lovely, though to be honest you were more interested in the -

- tac-tah that we came across. You inspected it thoroughly. "Blue," you said (though this may just have been luck). "Wheels." Can't argue with you there.

Inspection over, we trotted on and saw -

- another tac-tah. It was our lucky day.

You wandered round - making sure that I was following you - the wild bit that someone has labelled "Fairy Wood". We didn't see any fairies. It seems to me only yesterday that this was a formal rose garden - but look at the height of those trees already. I may have preferred the roses but you seemed to like the trees and wild flowers.

Then you ducked under this cord that's supposed to keep people out of this bit - where your favourite patch of dead leaves is. Ooops. I couldn't see any danger so I wondered if maybe they didn't want feet there, spreading some disease of trees. Having had this thought, I didn't want to go into the area myself. On the other hand, you weren't rushing back to me but instead were happily walking to and fro among the rustly leaves. However, just as I was about to go and retrieve you, you returned of your own volition.

And, after a further walk (this time without your jacket - it had got warmer) we went back to the car...

... and home for lunch. Later, you had fun in the garden with your bike. What happens is that you climb on to it (first taking the toys off the seat) and Granny runs round the garden pulling you along by that strap. She's quite looking forward to the point at which your legs get just that bit longer and you can push yourself along. Look at my scarified grass. It's a bit bald. Let's hope it thickens up.

And then Auntie Daughter 2 arrived back for a few days and read to you...

... several times.

You're learning new words every day. I think my current favourites are "Okey dokey" and "All wight". You haven't yet learned to say "No". I expect you will.

You're such a delight, little N. I'm aware that when you're older, I'll just seem like an old lady and possibly a bit of a nuisance so right now I'm savouring every moment I spend with you, enjoying all the cuddles and giggles and feeling awed at the way you're learning about your world.

You'll never know how much I love you until... well, I suppose until you're a grandfather yourself.