Can’t deny, we’re feeling smug

The clocks have gone back by an hour. On this day each year, non-parents get a joyous extra hour in bed. Parents, though … parents spend the night before dreading the prospect of a wide-awake toddler an hour earlier than usual. 0530, say.

So full marks and a gold star to our little man, who stayed snuggled in bed for an extra two hours this morning – giving not just himself, but Mummy and Daddy too, a much-appreciated bonus lie-in.

Daddy is a famous film director at last

Silhouette of Alfred Hitchcock
Alfred Hitchcock or, possibly, Daddy

Alfie points to the DVD shelf and calls out, “Daddy! Daddy!” He has apparently decided that there’s a picture of Daddy on the side of one of Daddy’s boxed DVD sets.

Now, on the one hand, it’s flattering to be compared to one of the greatest film directors of all time.

On the other hand, I’m not certain that Alfie’s taste or critical appreciation for Hitchcock’s work are the reasons for his acclaim. Maybe I need to go on a diet.

A fine vintage

Alfie loves his cars. He even enjoys pushing non-vehicular toys and other objects around the carpet.

When he’s a little older, he’s going to really enjoy playing with my collection of Matchbox cars – dutifully kept by my parents for many years. It was a bit of a lurch to realise that he’s going to consider all of those cars to be somewhat vintage. The likes of the Escort Mk II and the Datsun are going to look hilariously old-fashioned to his eyes.

To Alfie, they will look like 1940s cars would have done to me at the same age.