NORTHERN PLANNER

We took Will and Evie to the zoo last Sunday. I've never seen my little boy s excited. He ran around for nearly six hours in a state of perpetual, about to explode, enthusiasm. Ever day since, he's asked to see the monkeys again.

Evie's turning into a beaming little bundle of joy. I'm so curious about how she'll be different to Will, yet at the same time I don't want to get any older.

In comparison, while he LOVES Cars and Cars 2, he always ends up playing with his little collection of diecast cars, or his train set. Other stuff, even his beloved Thomas the Tank engine, or games on the laptop or Iphone just don't compare.

And none of that stuff, not even his toys compare to visiting the farm down the road and seeing the pigs and cows. The Geese terrify him in the most delicious way.

It doesn't even compare with playing outside and blowing bubbles, or kicking a ball.

In other words he always has more fun when he's playing with someone, or when he's seeing something real. Simple things, inexpensive things.

Uncomplicated times.