With a bit of overlap with some of the photos from Gregory's 6th birthday, but there's method to my madness as this is Easter Sunday, which happened in 2020 to be the day after Gregory's birthday. But it's a completely separate event, and another wave of present opening in the lounge (you can still see Gregory's collection from the previous day in the background). Books and, of course, chocolate are the order of the day. (The Slime book may have been from Aunty Katie.)
A few days later, we are out in the garden looking like we're trying a science experiment for school - the classic dropping of Mentos in Coca Cola. My recollection of this, such as it is, is that it was a little underwhelming, and a far cry from the industrial-sized explosion from Wreck It Ralph.
Gregory seemingly found the contents of David Walliams Slime to be intense and shocking.
Things come thick and fast at this time of year, and before long it's Nana Sue's birthday. That isn't immediately obvious from the cover, referring to "your [sic] the Queen" (although Nana Sue does - or did at that time - share a birthday with Queen Elizabeth II). He does appear to have got hold of some Lego head stickers...
...which is more evident from the inside. There is less doubt as to the intentions here, ranking Nana Sue as the best Nana ever. No small achievement that, albeit a bit subjective.
Well, the forthcoming weekend was meant to feature my friend Rob's stag do (somewhere abroad - can't remember where), as well as the Schofields coming to stay to watch the Back To The Future show. What actually happened was the bed getting taking over by the kids at 7.30am on the Thursday. Not quite the same.
Naturally we filled the time with playing some cricket in the back garden. Gregory is starting to look ever more the part.
The next morning, Gregory is either trying to speak to the spirits or wondering why the sky is so blue and the weather so lovely (we were still continuing with the freakish good weather for lockdown, making gardens the most sought after feature forever more).
Later that day, and just because you can't see anyone any more doesn't mean you can't have fun. We've got the football nets, a sun-shielding tent with what seems like a towel cover, some plastic bits and bobs in a bucket, and the sprinkler. Less hassle than a paddling pool to set up but endless fun when the kids repeatedly run past it.
Sometimes when you need pizza, it's time for I Knead Pizza. We'd earned it after all that fun in the garden.
This is featured as it is one of the longest books I am aware of. I had ordered it for Gregory as the story of the "prequel trilogy", i.e. the ones written after but set before the original trilogy from the 1970s and 1980s. What I hadn't quite appreciated was it's aggregation into a single volume, which numbered well over 900 (but alas not quite 1,000) pages. It also featured much of the obtuse language of the Star Wars world which made it trickier to read (certainly out loud). We shared the load (parents and child), but eventually after many months we got through it.
It's May Day, everyone! Rather than seek out a Maypole, we instead head to the local park to practise some basketball with a netball. Who will catch this? We'll never find out. Perhaps neither.
With a lack of power, Gregory's tactic was, if I recall correctly, to crouch down and throw the ball underhand and upwards. Again, the tension as to whether this will go in the net is palpable.
I can't really explain this other than to note that it seems like Joe Wicks has started dressing up on his workout videos and encouraging children to duel with swords. Or lightsabers.
I can't see that this was something received for Easter, so this may be the very belated completion of a birthday present, but we're into May so I'm comfortable it doesn't belong on the previous page.
Later that day, we head to the garden for a fight to the death with lightsabers.
In what could be a microcosm of the madness of lockdown, Gregory thrashes around on the floor, perhaps playing some extravagant air guitar, or perhaps wondering when life will get back to normal.
Still on the same day, the kids perch on either arm of the armchair. My guess is that, with Lynne possibly holding a pad, we are playing one of Jason Manford's lockdown quizzes, which were good fun.
Perhaps a shower and some mirror admiration going on here. His hair is slicked down.
A couple of days later, and Gregory's hair is a bit less slciked down. They seem to be both sticking their tongues out at having received a magazine each. It's what passes for excitement at the moment.
I referred earlier to Gregory's attempts at getting through this 900+ page book, and here is the evidence. A bit of a way to go.
The nice weather must be continuing, as shown by Gregory tucking into a lemon-flavoured Calippo.
Whilst playing football with a small plastic ball, which almost looks deflated, Gregory gets into a great position for kicking the ball (I'm most impressed with my camera timing if I'm honest).
The next day, with the sun still shining, we are once again outside and enjoying some ice-based snackage. Also featuring: cricket set, my shadow, some chalk shapes and a lot of beer boxes ready for recycling. Pretty much the standard combination.
Whilst there isn't a lot to do, let it be said that it can be an extremely relaxing affair in the garden with the reclining chairs and a shady spot from the relentless sunshine (not that anyone was remotely complaining - it was a godsend).
A loving big sister lends her younger brother her cap and gives him a big cuddle.
And that will do for now.
Back to the Secret Portal.