Dan's coming home !

Dan has been on holiday for the last 2 weeks - we really have had an empty nest (apart from his best bud's visit - See previous blog!!!)


I have really missed him ... and his girlfriend.


When I was walking Harley earlier I was reminiscing over some of the things he has put me through.


Dan was always determined and constantly called my bluff - I used to be able to get by with bribery and corruption and occasionally a minor threat or 2 with the girls. Danny would just push that little bit further !


One wonderful incident occurred when he was 6 years old.


THE SCHOOL RUN - the dreaded school run as a single mum trying to get them all ready early in the morning and get myself to work by 8.30am.


The girls were always great ....... they may have struggled to get out of bed but once up they ate brekkie, got themselves dressed and were reasonably organised (despite occasional lost bags, homework and blazers etc LOL !)


Dan was just stubborn ....... on this particular morning he decided he would not put on his shoes. 


I tried all the tricks in the book ... made it a game, teased him, cajoled, bribed .... did as much as I could cope with under the stress of running late. Eventually I lost it - slapped him on his leg and shouted at him to put his shoes on by the time I came back.


Now .... this was where my plan backfired - I got the girls in the car and sat in it for a few minutes as I knew I had to calm myself down. I started the car and  turned it round to face the road ..... thinking that if Dan heard the car start up ...... he would get a move on ......


Nope - Not my Danny - he was far smarter than that !!!


I walked back in the house after a few mins to find Dan .... chatting to "someone" on the phone.


"For goodness sake - who's that Dan and get your shoes on !"


Dan, 6 years old, hanging onto the phone - "the Police"


ARGGHHH !


OK - calm down Jane - "Dan can I chat with the Policeman " 


He thinks about it for a few seconds ........ imagine that ....... not an instant reaction but actually thinks about it  ...... obviously the Policeman is chatting to Dan at the same time and has presumably asked him who he is talking to - without blinking or passing me the phone this stubborn little 6 year old calmly tells the Officer  


"It's my Mummy - do you want to talk to her ?"


Do you want to talk to her ! Cheeky little blighter !!!


The Officer presumably said yes as Dan then passed the phone to me. Apparently Dan had called the officer to let him know that his Mummy had left him on his own (he had heard the car start) The officer was excellent - he had children of his own and knew the school run nightmare. I confirmed that I was Dan's Mum - had not even left the property boundaries and that Dan was safe. 


Then .... then .... the officer had the cheek to tell me my son was good in that he had called when he was worried that he was alone and concerned for his own safety ...... WHAT .... grrrrrrrrrr  ........ and then I thought ......... and started laughing and still laugh about it now .......... the little bugger knew I hadn't gone far but he had literally just been taught at school to call 999 if he was worried about his safety and had literally used that phrase when ringing - I was amazed that he had been put straight through to an officer rather than a civilian manning the phones but perhaps that's what they did then (believe me I could write a whole book about my encounters with the boys in blue since having the kids).


I got off the phone - turned to Dan who had his shoes on and a HUGE grin.


We got to school. In time. Jess and Gina didn't speak to him for a day, they were so shocked.


And Dan - he knew he had it .... whatever "it" is - Beaten by a 6 year old !!!!!