One craze to the next
Isaac can be a a bit of a butterfly, fluttering from one craze to the next with alarming speed.
One minute he's desperate for a Lego Mind Storm set for Christmas, the next he wants a foam-firing gun. Then again, a new bike would be nice...
Any school craze sweeping the playground he gets caught up in – until the next one comes along.
So when he started ju-jitsu nearly five years ago, I didn't think he would last. I was sure he'd be really keen until he was hurt and then demand to be allowed to leave the class.
I couldn't have been more wrong.
Isaac started doing one class a week and now does three. On Monday night, he was awarded a full brown belt.
That means he has now started working toward his black belt. He's now 10 and my wife reckons he could get his black belt before reaching 12.
I am enormously proud of him, and the commitment he has shown to his martial art.
I just don't tell him in case I annoy him. He's nearly a black belt, you know.
Thirteen-year-old Gabriel has joined the Combined Cadet Force.
I know little about this organisation other than it has given my son a uniform and has allowed him to handle a gun.
Oh, and a pair of second-hand army boots set me back 25.
I wouldn't tell him this, but seeing him in his uniform reminded me of Private Pike in Dad's Army. There was a certain keen scruffiness about his demeanour.
Certainly, he looks far smarter in his Sea Scouts uniform.
However, he seems to thoroughly enjoy his couple of hours on a Friday night being bawled at and doing drill. I can't see the attraction, but then it's been several decades since I was last 13.
I'm thankful for this little gem that was passed to me at the weekend.
A friend of the family is a teacher and was delighted to hear her very young charges discussing the merits of a replacement teacher.
"That prostitute teacher was so good," said one little one to another.
I'm not sure the substitute teacher would have been flattered.
I'm producing and directing a Nativity play for older children at our church this year.
Which means my boys are already vying for what they see as the best parts.
Interesting to note which parts they want to play. Gabriel wants to be a non-talking star – of the twinkling variety – while Isaac is desperate to play Herod, who walks on, says one line and then dies.
Not for them the glory of Joseph or even the scene-stealing shepherd or wise men roles.
Rest assured, I will keep you informed of developments on this major production.
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Weather for Sunderland
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 10 C to 19 C
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Wind direction: North east
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