2017: From Toddler to Boy, the Year of Hope.

Happy Friday :)

off to the woods, with wine :)

2016 was the year of crazy. So it was only fitting that we finished it with a NYE house party reflecting this. We had the same ratio of children to adults, went for a walk in the woods with wine (and glasses) and served up a BBQ fit for a summers day.

reconstruction of the 2016 'utility incident'

The craziness, created mostly by our youngest started just 3 days into 2016. Aged 14 months he unwittingly trapped me in our utility with the dishwasher door. A challenge worthy of a sadistic Crystal Maze. I had the contents of a fridge, two litre bottles of coke and a plastic ride on toy at my disposal to escape through a 2cm gap. Needless to say I was still there two hours later when my husband arrived home. The memory still makes me shiver and truly set the scene for what was to be a challenging 2016. 

 

challenges of the crazy year

Progressing through the toddler months in 2016 was fun, exciting and utterly gorgeous (Bye Bye Baby) but it was also tiring, relentless and on occasions difficult. There were several outstanding moments which really put our parenting skills, and sanity to the test. Holidaying was an experience not to be forgotten (How to have a Successful (non holiday) Holiday with a Toddler- My 6 Top Tips) and going from cot to cot bed very nearly finished us off (Toddler Bedtime Battles).

2017 is the Year of Hope. This will be the year our two year old toddler will turn to our three year old boy. The last remaining traces of baby will bit by bit fade away. Nappies, highchairs, dummies, sippy cups, teething, (certain) cupboard locks and daytime sleeps which affect night time sleeps will all be left behind in the year of 2017. Incomprehensive jibber jabber will become a thing of the past. Halleluiah, you know what I want and I know what you want. 2017 is the year when we board the train to the light at the end of the toddler tunnel.

moment of calm

Lego can be played with without worry that pieces will be consumed. Soft play can be attended without me in the ball pool. Walks to the duck pond can be enjoyed without (as much) fear of dog poo been eaten, ponds mistaken for paddling pools or piles of mud thought be a marvellous place to lay down.

a little crazy is good

However, I'm still hoping for the occasional crazy moment and I'm sure I won't be disappointed. A little craziness is always good :)