Pigeon, pigeon, pigeon

“Come on.”  Yelled Mum trying to get everyone ready to head to the train station to pick up dad.

Dad had been  away on a training course for a week, everyone was very exited to see him again and find out all about what he had been learning.

Mum noted dad would probably like to know what we had all been up to too.

Oh no the train had been delayed.

This was not good but it wasn’t going to be too long so mum suggested everyone sit down and get comfortable while we wait.

Sitting on the solid cold metal chairs Mary noticed lots of birds sitting on the beams round the roof.  They were so still until a train came in to the station making lots of noise.  Whenever the train started to get closer to the platform all of the birds would get a fright and start flying around looking for a new place to perch.  Every time this happened all you could hear was people muttering about the pigeons. 

They did fly really close to people and their things.

Joe was fascinated, he couldn’t stop looking at all the fluttering birds when people moved.  Just sitting smiling, eyes darting watching all of the birds dance in the crowd.

Several trains had come and gone, hopefully dads train was next.

Every one sat in excitement .  Mum keeping her eyes glued to the big changing board on the wall for any updates of when dads train was arriving. 

Soon there was a big rush of people and birds.

Dads train had arrived.  Mary, mum and Joe almost got squished in the chaos but they stayed firm in their metal seats for safety from the rushing crowd.

Through all of the madness Mum spotted dad coming through the barriers past all of the people and birds that had been disturbed.

“Pigeon” yelled Joe as one almost crashed into his buggy.

“Pigeon, Pigeon.”  He said again as he covered his wee face scared one was going to crash into him.

Dad heard, and saw the whole thing.   “Pigeon, pigeon to you too, brave boy,” said dad as he picked Joe up to check he had not been hit by any of the crazy pigeons or people.  “And how are my girls?”

“Were so glad you back, we’ve missed you,” replied mum with glee and a hug while Mary nodded holding onto dads trouser leg.

“It was a very long trip I’m sorry I was away for so long but there are some very interesting things happening at work and I come home just in time to catch my wee boys first word, I think it was one of the best business trips I have ever had.”  Said Dad with a delighted smile. 

“How was your week without me cluttering up the house?”  he asked in jest with a cheeky grin.

©joannehepburn 27.05.17

Old slippers

We all know the story of the favorite shoes, but what happens when your slippers get too small, old, too tatty? Lets find out.

These were not Mary’s, no these belonged to mum.

They were the first thing mum put on in the morning followed by the trusty dressing gown.  

The slippers guided her through all the chaos of the kitchen, boiling over kettles and pans. 

Tripping over empty food wrappers. 

Trudging bin bags out to the wheelie bin returning with little tufts of grass stuck in the rips of the comfiest slippers. 

Catching the mailman in the rain only to return back into the house all soggy. 

All toast crumbs that missed everyone’s plates only to end up on the carpet and get stuck in the slipper wool.

“It might be time to find some new slippers” muttered dad.

“No need, the ones I have are absolutely fine, they will last for a long time yet,” advised mum thinking out loud.

“We need to go to town anyway to pick up a few things I’m sure a wee look in the shops to see if they have any possible upgrades wouldn’t hurt,” offered dad.

“We’ll see,” shrugged mum.

It was a beautiful day, the shops were quiet as everyone seemed to be at the beach enjoying the sun or away visiting but Mary loved it so did mum, lots of space and no rushing or being pushed away from the ever growing ques round  tills.

Dog food collected for Granny’s dog buster, Hamster food picked up for Cousin Sarah’s new pet.  Some new tops for Joe, he was growing at some pace now.  New socks for dad, new school shirts for Mary without pen ink on the pockets.

Just as mum thought she was escaping undetected, there they were.   A wall filled with slippers, more than you have ever seen.  Little fluffy sandal type slippers, mule style slippers, slip-on slippers, mini boot slippers, even rubber sole bottomed slippers.

“Wow what a range,” commented dad.

“I don’t need any of these the ones I have are fine,” assured mum.

“OK, nodded dad.”

A few days went past and the rips in mum’s slippers got bigger.

A week past and the slippers were barely holding together.

2 weeks past and Mary did not know how the thread was keeping the slippers together.

Then finally after a month the slipper sole fell off from not just one, but both of mum’s slippers, left mum standing in the kitchen wondering what on earth to do now.

“Oh mum, give me two seconds,” ordered dad.

What on earth thought mum shaking her head.

“Here,” offered dad with a big smile.

“What is this?  Asked mum as she took the box.

“You’ll see,” smiled dad.

Mum took the parcel.

“They’re perfect,” smiled Mum, “how did you know?”

“I just bought the ones closest to the old pair,” replied dad with a wink and a cheeky smile.

Perfect size, perfect fit, even rubber sole so no more slips. 

“Thank you, now to see how long these last,” smiled mum.

©joannehepburn

14.05.2017

Dinosaur socks

“Rawr” Mary growled as she put on her socks. 

“Roar” as the other one went on.

Now we were all set for the day with Mary’s scary socks, she could take on anything.

First Mary had to complete the monster task of cleaning the bedroom!

Grabbing all the clothes off the floor and putting then into the wash basket – done

Next to pick up all of the toys and put them back on the shelf out of the way of mum and the hoover.

On to the art stuff, finding all of the crayons, bits of paper, half-finished drawings and any secret ideas into the art cupboard.

Now there was loads of space for whatever project Mary could think up next, but not today Mary had caught the cleaning bug with Dino power!

Next it was time to take on Joe’s room.  Joe was a baby so surely he couldn’t make much mess. 

Mary thought wrong, socks, bibs, and toys dotted round the floor.  It wasn’t bad but Mary thought it would be better to put them all away for mum so thats exactly what she did.  

Socks and bibs into the baby wash bin, they were all tiny after all.  And toys back up on the shelf. 

Where now thought Mary.  Those were the two messiest rooms now where else was left?

What about the garden? Thought Mary.  Then the dinosaurs could really get to work, so out popped Mary into the garden.

As soon as the door was closed the gust of wind moved the leaves resting on the grass.  

Perfect, thought Mary running to the shed to pick up the rake. 

It was a lovely clear blue sky day and getting to move all the leaves to make a clear play area would be perfect for all of Mary’s possible projects.  

Now the leaves were all  gathered away from the grass Mary didn’t know where to put them.  

Should they stay sitting in the corner?  

Or should they go in the compost pile?  

Or do they go in the bin? 

Mary wasn’t sure but knew who would.

Back into the house to get Mum who was delighted with what Mary had done.

“What a fantastic job you have done  Mary, its really excellent.  Saves everyone from slipping on any wet leaves over the path.” Smiled Mum.  "I think we should put them in the compost bin.  I think the worms and creepy crawlies would really like some extra food and some extra protection from the temperature.” What do you think Mary?” asked Mum.

“Yea plenty of layers to keep all the bugs nice and warm and a few sticks so all the bugs have their own space.” Thought Mary.

It didn’t take very long at all to put all the leaves and twigs into the compost bin.

That was a very helpful morning Mary, my goodness I don’t know where you got your energy from today but thank you for helping, “advised Mum.

“Its no problem Mum, I have my dinosaur socks on, they helped too.  Dinosaurs are very strong and helpful.” Confirmed Mary

“I might need to get some of those too,” chuckled Mum

©joannehepburn