The night of the great wrapping on Planet Baby

Well, Lovelies, it’s been a long, hard day on Planet Baby. A trip to the dentist (for me), a home visit by the speech pathologist (to coax a certain young Quicksilver to take to his solids better), a trip to Nanna and Pa’s (for India so Sam wouldn’t be distracted from his food) and a visit to the GP (for Joshie) were some of the features. It’s past 10 pm and the three pixies are asleep. In their own beds (I’m happy about that). Mr PB is still at work. And I’m wrapping.

Wrapping to my heart’s content. With colourful paper, my beloved sharp Clover scissors and my overflowing ribbon box. Why? My firstborn turns 5 tomorrow! Mr PB is taking the day off. He will be PB’s inimitable Master of Ceremonies, conjuring a day of delights for the pixies. He probably hasn’t given it a thought yet. But he’ll come up trumps tomorrow – he always does. Yes, he’s a keeper, I agree. With my current state of mind, I can only focus on something simple. Like wrapping the presents.

It calms me down. I enjoy smoothing the paper to crease just so. Carefully selecting either coordinating or contrasting ribbons, depending on my mood. Real, fabric ribbons - forget the paper ones. Tying them with crisp bows. Snipping the ends either on an angle or in a ‘V’. Admiring the joyous riot of colour. Imagining Joshie’s face tomorrow morning when he first spies them.

It might look like a lot and that we’ve spent a lot of money. But appearances can be deceiving. Most of them are quite retro and inexpensive, the toys we had as children growing up in the 1970s. I’ll show you some tomorrow. After the great unwrapping on Planet Baby! Now I'm going to reminisce on how I felt on this night, five years ago. The night before we moved to Planet Baby! Good night.