Using the principles of sound scientific enquiry (observable phenomenon, repeatable in controlled circumstances, measurable results not accountable by random variables, statistical significance etc.) I think we can safely say Gemma is demonstrating some solid and complex verbal-physio skills. Plop a ball somewhere on the floor, say "get the ball, get the ball" and she'll motor over, grab and/or swat the ball and send it rolling. Inevitable she'll tire of this before we do, but it happens more than often enough not to be a fluke. She's also getting into peek-a-do games using, er, boxer shorts to enable her disappearing act. Gets us all giggling.

On the other end of new experiences, Gemma is no fan of the vacuum cleaner. Perhaps because it's bigger than her and makes a menacing noise, but put it on and she clings, frowns and wants it off asap. My devotion to her wishes means from here on in, I refuse to use the evil contraption.

June 23rd, and Gemma turned one today. To extend this special day she got up before seven, had an economical morning nap and decided to skip the afternoon one altogether. The morning was marked with lots of crawling around, at increasing speed these days; Gemma especially likes a little chase around the dining room table. At noon Lucy, her parents, her grandmother Lynn, Sophie and Felix and their parents, plus Cyndi and Dee Dee came around for a little do.

Hard to believe she wanted such a thing, but Gemma got an ice cream maker for her birthday. Disappointment reigned as the kit came without instructions, laying the foundation for future episodes of batteries-not-included, it's so last year and hate-that-CD type of gifts. She had the grace to pretend that playing with the cardboard box was more appealing and quickly shifted gears to batting a balloon around, but nonetheless the parental shame of a sub-standard present hung in the air.

A little tomato/chicken pasta and mango (which, by the way, is the world's third largest fruit crop) later and it was off to bed. We had a read through Hippos Go Berserk, a fave these days, along with some good cancon, A Prairie Alphabet, which was an early present from Natalie and Maggie Kent.

After Gemma slinked off, we watched Monsoon Wedding, our first movie rental for a while, and a good one at that.

A year ago today to this minute I was on the way home from a few post-work pints on a hot Friday evening. A bit of gossip, discussion about the upcoming tennis, and the acknowledgment that we should squeeze in as many social/cultural things as possible as the baby was due in one month's time were all yakked about. That night we had a artichoke n' tomato pasta, watched a little TV, went to bed early then got up 20 minutes later in amazement as the waters were gushing. It was off to hospital.

And on the topic of newborns into this world, there's been lots of great news and new mates for Gemma this month. In chronological order:
Sue and John had a baby girl, Daisy, born June 4, in Toronto
Sarra Jane and Mark also had a baby girl, a name not yet settled upon, in New York on June 11
Christine and Simon had a baby boy yesterday, Nicholas, in London

World Cup is over for England, of course, after a pretty uninspiring loss to Brazil. Losses also were taken on the betting front, with Paul Scholes unable to score first, and England unable to win after being drawn at the half time (the magic combo sought after). All in all a marginal gain on the tournament so far, but my other hope, Spain to win the whole thing, also was blown out of the water today. Gemma had a lucky (until yesterday) football shirt worn for all the games, but she concurs with Sven that they just didn't try hard enough in the second half, especially with that man advantage.

It's a riotous afternoon in London as England whipped Argentina 1-0, with some nailbiting lack-of-possession for the last 20 minutes of the game. Gemma's been digging the World Cup scene, her first, and has extended her athletic abilities by racing around the room on a push-walking contraption. Mighty pleased with herself she it, too. On the betting front, a further three, count 'em, three pounds were made on a judicious Beckham-to-score wager, made online no less.

Just past the halfway mark of Jubilee weekend, when we get another day added to the bank holiday to celebrate 50 years on the job. Gemma celebrated by watching Eng-ger-land tie Sweden 1-1in the first round of the World Cup. Luckily she and her dad made an opportune trip to the local bookie the day before, placed a few bets and made 22 pounds off a two pound investment. Not sure whether to reinvest it or pocket the profits.

Saturday night Andy, Malu, Brett and KP around for a loud dinner party. Sunday afternoon Gemma, Lucy and the 'rents were off to the park for a little swing action, and later that night Arndt came by and we had our first al fresco meal, a few bottles of wine and late night chit chat.

This evening Gemma went to a local street party, where it was pretty much BYOB - and most people did. Why have a glass of wine when a bottle delivers so much more? A few token Union Jackswere out, but the main event was a four piece jazz combo who ran through a Brazil-meets-the standards repertoire.