21 August 2009

Emily and I went for a playdate at Tracey's . It was very stressful getting there, as we had to navigate rush hour. After missing the first train because it was totally rammed full, the next one was like the proverbial can of sardines, though as we were first on I did get a seat. Emily kept asking to get out of the stroller, and was bucking around like a junior bronco, kicking the commuters on the shins in the process. I felt my blood pressure mounting rapidly and was mightily relieved to make it four stops without tears from one of us.


We emerged into the early heat and humidity for the 15 minute walk round to the embassy, where we had to pass through at least four security doors. James was still home and immediately picked Emily up, to her consternation. I was amazed she didn't cry as he has a bit of a beard and she doesn't like them. He took off for work and we went in to find Lottie finishing breakfast. The two of them played very nicely together and chattered away. Emily wanted to chase one of their two cats, who was out in the garden tormenting a cicada it had caught (one of many by all accounts). We let the girls outside, where they proceeded to get wet and dirty playing with the soil and copious amounts of water. After that they sat down to an early lunch, and I was pleased that Emily ate some of the food Tracey had prepared, though I had to spoonfeed her.


Once fed, we needed to get home quickly as Emily had to nap before nursery. Lunch had overrun, so in a rare fit of profligacy I decided to take a taxi. We sallied forth into the scorching heat of midday and eventually flagged one down. Emily got upset when I collapsed her buggy, but once on the road she cheered up, and kept up a running commentary for the fifteen minute drive home: 'man green'(?), 'big lolly' (lorry), 'bugger bike' (I think I prefer her version to motorbike), 'lady 'brella' etc.

She submitted to a nap without protest and we were soon on our way to Tsukijishijo again. As last time, she didn't cry on dropping off, though she was well aware that I was going to leave her. She can't seem to say nursery; she says 'sorcery', for some reason. I hotfooted it (literally) to the sports centre for my aerobics class, which I enjoyed immensely.

In the bath Emily amazed me ; she has some foam letters and numbers, and she picked up the K and said 'Kate', then the D and said 'Daddy', then the N and tried to say 'Nicholas'. I must be imagining it, as it seems beyond belief. She was also trying to sing the ABC song, which I think they do regularly at the nursery.

I was reminded that it was this time last year the Olympics were happening in Beijing. I can't believe that a whole year has passed since I was mortified by the sight of a dishevelled Boris Johnson shambling up in front of billions of people as our representative. There is controversy over a female race winner at the World athletics championship, and I have to say that I won't be surprised if the tests show it is a man as she/he certainly looks and behaves in a very masculine way. Usain Bolt has shattered both 100m and 200m records, and I am sorry to say that after so many doping scandals it is very hard not to suspect him of using a hitherto undetected drug. I hope I am wrong and feel a llittle ashamed for my doubts.