The day Lestrade got this new case and had to be out past Sherlock's bedtime was the same day I had my physio. Could've gone badly. Sherlock's become very attached, as you probably couldn't help noticing, to his murder stories, but the stories aren't the real issue. He just likes having L there to tuck him in and say goodnight, not that I think he'll admit it. So it could've gone badly, but instead there was jumping.
Sherlock's not much for pretending, generally. Not for him the 'floor is made of lava' type games. Usually. Turns out it works better with phrasing like, 'What if the flat was suddenly flooded with superstrong acid?' Although he did point out that it would eventually dissolve the furniture and the floor as well if it were that strong, and then we'd be in trouble, and anyway was there really an acid strong enough to 'melt people'?
There was a lot of jumping from one piece of furniture to another, followed by acid research online and wondering how hydrochloric acid could exist in our stomachs if it's that strong, which then led to him telling me all about carnivorous plants that trap their prey in various ways and digest them with acid. Although not all the way, because we also looked at some pictures of dissected pitcher plants online and they're all full of insect corpses. Fascinating really.
And then he asked about chlorine gas and chemical weapons, which was a less cheerful conversation, but did lead to him claiming he could do more jumping jacks than anyone in the Army. He demonstrated. I think he may possibly be right. By then, it was meant to be his quiet time before bed, so we read his mummy book on the couch for a while.
Never a dull moment. Even on the bad days, I sometimes wonder how I got this lucky.
Sherlock's not much for pretending, generally. Not for him the 'floor is made of lava' type games. Usually. Turns out it works better with phrasing like, 'What if the flat was suddenly flooded with superstrong acid?' Although he did point out that it would eventually dissolve the furniture and the floor as well if it were that strong, and then we'd be in trouble, and anyway was there really an acid strong enough to 'melt people'?
There was a lot of jumping from one piece of furniture to another, followed by acid research online and wondering how hydrochloric acid could exist in our stomachs if it's that strong, which then led to him telling me all about carnivorous plants that trap their prey in various ways and digest them with acid. Although not all the way, because we also looked at some pictures of dissected pitcher plants online and they're all full of insect corpses. Fascinating really.
And then he asked about chlorine gas and chemical weapons, which was a less cheerful conversation, but did lead to him claiming he could do more jumping jacks than anyone in the Army. He demonstrated. I think he may possibly be right. By then, it was meant to be his quiet time before bed, so we read his mummy book on the couch for a while.
Never a dull moment. Even on the bad days, I sometimes wonder how I got this lucky.
45 comments:
Some bloke told me quite graphically about an acid so strong that if you got some on you, the only way they could stop it eating you was to chop off the part of you it was on...no idea if it's true or what it's called thbough.
And you got lucky because you're wonderful.
Ha, can't wait till he gets home and reads that. Fortunately, this is what he has his chemistry tutor for.
No more than you are.
Sometimes - even recently - I've felt like I was buzzing and bouncing off the walls and couldn't sit still. Even when I'm feeling like that I can't imagine having Sherlock's amount of energy. I am quite happy to think that anyone in the army can do more jumping jacks than I. But I suppose that wasn't a bad way for Sherlock to work off his energy.
You are quite a man yourself John your boys are luck to have you to look after them all just as you are lucky to have them :-)
Some days I spend with my daughter I think how am I going to keep up with you as her mind an dmouth work overtime but then I remember that you are having to keep up with Sherlock and realise what an easy job I actually have ;-)
Anony
kholly - He can do more than I can at the moment, I know that!
Anony - I suppose all kids are like that? I don't know, I don't have a lot of experience with kids apart from the boys, but the other kids at his school certainly seem like they'd be bloody hard to keep up with too.
Sadly some kids aren't like that, they sit and stare at the telly and never utter a word or they play computer games all day never looking up :-( I much prefer the way mine are and the way Sherlock is though, eventhough it's hard work keeping up with them :-) You have to accept that kids should keep you physically and mentally fit by running you ragged that is just their job ;-)
Anony
Sherlock is very lucky to have you helping him release all that energy AND satisfy his curiosity on so many different things.
Anony - must admit I'm quite relieved neither of them like video games much. I never could see the point of those.
CB - I think I learn as much as he does really. It's nice.
I have to say this post filled me with happy. :)
(Hopefully the shoulder is doing better now?)
I can't imagine either of them would see the point either although I can see Mycroft being pretty good at creating games if he wanted to :-)
Anony
I just think you've worked wonders with him, to move from him running away and hiding all the time, to how he is now.
And before anyone chips in with that being me too, John did a lot of the hard work there before I was really a fixture in the boys' lives. He regaled me with tales of it on our school-time dates, when he could get away to see me.
Still you, too, L--did John not just point out that Sherlock is quite attached to you?--but yes, it's so true!
I was just thinking how impressed I've been with Sherlock this week. So far as we could see online, he was very sensible about missing the museum trip with his class, he didn't make a fuss about L not being able to join you two for his afternoon off school although it was something he clearly wanted, and he was very good both Wednesday and Thursday about L being late home.
It's truly wonderful, John. :) (And well done, Sherlock!)
John has done a good job of teaching ALL his boys that it is better to stick around and work things out rather than run away Greg. :-)
Anony
Ha, Anony!
And before anyone chips in with that being me too
You know me too well; that's just what I was going to do...
I think it has a lot to do with the circumstances of how we all met too. Sherlock was used to people leaving when things got difficult - they both were. It would be hard to be more difficult than serial killers and kidnapping, so if we didn't leave after that, maybe it gave them some faith we stay through other difficult times as well.
I'm going to imagine Sherlock frowning at that being 'difficult' and replacing the word in his head with 'exciting' or something.
Even the change in them from when I first met you all to when I first saw them again after you moved was amazing. You are amazing.
Anony - that is so true. He is a supernanny.
If I may--John, staying is important, no question, but I don't think it's just that you stayed, it's that you (both of you) want to stay. Would fight to stay.
Ha. He's too busy haranguing his chemistry tutor via email about acids at the moment, but probably later on...
How are you doing? I'm glad you're home tomorrow.
RR - maybe. I hope they both know that.
You might not think you were involved in the beginning Greg but both boys know that you used to have a habit of hiding and they are seeing a great role model for change and being happy now that you have found a situation you don't want to run from. :-)
Supernanny, Daring DI and the Dashing duo would make quite a good cartoon ;-)
Anony
John, I'm sure they know. Really sure.
As far as you (you) goes, I think all three of us know that.
And...I'm doing better, knowing I am home tomorrow. I'm ok.
Better is good. Miss you. How's your shoulder? And are you home for dinner tonight? We're making potatoes stuffed with stuff.
Hm. Hydrofloric acid, perhaps? It's incredibly dangerous and can be disfiguring if not treated right away.
And I don't know that there could be a better example of what caring, involved, and loving adults can do for kids than what you guys have done for Sherlock and Mycroft. And while they may not be able to articulate it for a few years yet, they know.
Maz, unfortunately I read your comment straight after John's, which led to me imagining potatoes stuffed with hydrofloric acid! Definitely not to be encouraged.
Hahahaha! No, I was answering L's comment about acid that eats away at the body until parts have to be amputated! They guys snuck in a couple more responses while I was composing!
Yeah, should be home not long after 7. Potatoes sound good, as long as we have the sort without added acid.
Shoulder is okay, just the odd pain when I love certain ways.
Youokay? Feel like I've barely seen you. Tomorrows meant to have great weather. Maybe we should get out of the city somewhere?
Right, stuffed with cheese and sausage, hold the acid.
Yeah, I'm okay. Shoulder's about the same as yours. It'd be great to go somewhere. Picnic somewhere maybe if the weather's nice?
just the odd pain when I love certain ways.
Oooooookay.... ;)
Yeah, picnic sounds nice. Somewhere far away from people, and with plenty of space for Sherlock to run off some energy.
Perfect.
Oh, that sounds lovely. Have a great time!
You are.
Need anything? Does Sherlock need me to stop and get some fresh Italian ice cream in a selection of favours to thank him for being so good this week? Or is he just happy with me coming home, without ice cream, just my sparkling personality? ;)
ICE CREAM!!!!
Yeah, didn't think my personality stood a chance.
I'll get a mix of flavours.
Anything else we need or want?
No but the potatoes will be good because i helped make them and also John is making us have broccoli but it's with garlic.
Great answer Sherlock ;-)
Enjoy your ice cream and your time with Greg you've been such a star this week you deserve both :-)
Anony
Yummmm! Sounds like a most excellent dinner, Sherlock--especially the potatoes--I bet you put LOTS of good stuff in them. I like broccoli plain but I bet it's even better with garlic.
(And as I said earlier, I was really impressed with you all this week. Also, you wrote a really wonderful blog post, which was a lot of fun to read!)
First thing he does - launches himself off the stairs about halfway up into me. I did catch him. (I'll send your mum the bill for shoulder reconstruction, kiddo) second thing - once securely in my arms, tries to get in my bag to check for ice cream. Third thing - tells me how good dinner smells repeatedly until I agree :)
Welcome home, L. :)
Is there a better welcome home than that? I think not :-)
You're an amazing boy Sherlock Greg is lucky to have you to make him smile :-)
Anony
well once he was charged with putting the ice cream carefully n the freezer it did at least leave me free to get a hug from John. :)
Hugs all round, then. Not a bad way to start your evening!
You guys inspired me the other day and I'm making cheesy veg tonight. Just wish somebody came home with ice cream for me.
I'm so glad you're home and sounding relaxed Greg :-) hugs must have some magical power I think, they somehow manage to clear the mind in a way nothing else can manage :-)
Enjoy your evening.
Anony
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