The new girl in my boys' life...
The kitten continues to enthrall and charm both of my sons.
Tasmin sleeps in Isaac's room, but pays a morning call to Gabriel, 14, as soon as she's let out.
Previously, Gabriel has always been a grumpy riser. He doesn't like mornings and is best left well alone until he has had time to cheer up.
However, Tasmin's arrival has changed him. As she bounces into his room, all big eyes and paws that are too big for her, he leans out of bed and encourages her to jump up and see him. He talks to her gently, encouragingly, softly.
Which isn't how he talks to his brother.
The pair of them argue over who is the kitten's best playmate, or who cares for her most. She, meanwhile, laps up the attention and adoration.
The only one in the household Tasmin hasn't manage to enchant is Momo, our increasingly arthritic elderly cat who hasn't been too impressed with the energetic newcomer.
Gabriel is doing his Duke of Edinburgh Award, which is proving to be quite a commitment.
He's doing a number of out-of-school activities for the award, which has made his life a great deal busier.
Which in turn, means our taxi service has become a great deal busier.
We don't mind too much as he's obviously enjoying the challenges set – one of which is a weekly pilates class.
I'd pay good money for pictures of my lad attempting some of the moves he describes.
With what was left of his Christmas and birthday money, Isaac has bought a Blackberry, a high-spec posh mobile phone.
The monthly fee will account for the vast majority of his pocket money, but he insists this doesn't bother him. I guess he'll probably feel differently in a few months time.
Why on earth he needs such a technically-advanced tool mostly used by business high-fliers, goodness only knows.
It can complete any number of tasks, none of which benefit Isaac at all, but all of which he's excited by.
Meanwhile, Gabriel and my wife both have i-Phones, Christmas gifts over the past two years.
I'm more than happy with my bog-standard mobile, but can't help but feel the poor relation.
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Weather for Sunderland
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 10 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 8 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: East
