Today we tried something really different. We decided to split up the two boys for the whole weekend. Mainly because of their shocking behaviour all week.

Sean (the 1½ year old) stayed at home with my husband. They did a bit of outdoor stuff. Gardening. Pruning. Fixing the car. Clearing the shed. Apparently Sean was a darling. He was happy to plod around, playing quietly with bits and pieces. Not a squeak! He was wonderful company!

I took Callum (the 3½ year old) to Fremantle. I went for the final fitting of my bridemaid’s dress. He sat happily on a chair munching on biscuits while he waited. We bought fruit from the Freo markets. I taught him about parking tickets, where honey comes from and Agriculture 101. We visited Fremantle Harbour and watched the ships being docked and loaded. He asked really interesting questions about boats and the ocean.

We went to Bunnings to picked up some clay pots. Then to the Chinese supermarket to buy tofu. We sat in a cafe, I read the paper while he drew pictures. He asked about this and that. He said funny things. We made jokes. We walked hand in hand in the sunshine back to the car while eating Strawberry Pocky sticks. It was the BEST morning we had in AGES.

That evening, I took Callum to a church fundraising dinner. It was an amazing $100 per head meal (Callum ate for free). He sat up at the table full of other 30-somethings, and carried himself spectacularly! He also entertained the table with his funny antics. And at the end, found himself some other kids to play with. It was a really nice evening for the both of us.

Ah, I really wished I could have more time alone with Callum. I wished time would slow down so that I have more days to enjoy my son at 3½. I think it’s a glorious age – innocent, inquisitive, spirited and honest – it’s definitely that moment in time before they go to school and get swept away by “big kid things”.