Who knew? I like boys!

Louis and Samuel (and those retro boots)

Samuel and the sledge

One unexpected upshot of our week away was that - whisper it - it turns out I might actually like boys. I mean, of course I *like* boys (although I respect anyone who doesn't). It's just that I've always had my reservations about little ones. For instance, here's a confession: my first thought when shown my brand new (c-section) baby was, 'Oh, isn't it beautiful'; my second, 'Oh, it's a boy'. I'll leave you to imagine my third....

Needless to say I adore Louis. And I'm pretty keen on his dad. But it's those ones in between that cause me concern - with the notable exception of my godson. (Plus anyone else who is feeling offended.) You know, the testosterone-filled ones that only like trucks and dirt and fighting. Not to mention shouting and causing general chaos and devastation. And yes I know I am stereotyping, but thus far my experience has been pretty limited to former classmates or my brother. (Apologies Uncle Rob.) 

So I was genuinely delighted when Louis decided to befriend some older boys while we away. Or, correction: they befriended him. First up was Adam, who was sitting with his Dad on the seat behind us on the coach from the airport. Louis kept asking, 'Who's that boy? Who's that boy?' and so the introductions were made. Adam, 6, made a point of saying good morning every day at breakfast and chatting to us at various moments. (Which is more than I can say for his parents.) The following Saturday, back at the airport, he told me: 'The first time I saw Louis I wished he was my brother." Why? I asked. "Because he's the cutest baby I ever saw." Melt. 

Then there was Samuel. The lovely Samuel. And his friend (or brother, we never worked it out) Jacob. We met getting skis on the Sunday morning. Irrespective of the age gap - Samuel was 11, to Louis's 1 - they instantly became equally besotted. To the extent that the older boys started ringing our room to see if they could play with Louis after skiing. Louis spent every day wondering where Samuel was, and according to Samuel's Dad, Samuel did likewise. They'd trot off together for 'a walk' halfway through each meal. Which was a godsend for me, although I'm not sure Samuel's family was as delighted. 

Samuel even quoted back that don't-you-know-pink-is-retro line to me that I'd used when he'd queried why Louis had pink snow boots. I don't think Samuel and Jacob ever did notice the age difference. They'd ask us stuff like, 'Is Louis on half-term too next week?' and 'Why isn't he talking properly?' Um, try because he's only one! Even now, Louis still begs me to see the photos of him and Samuel on "Mummy's 'ello". I'm only sorry that he's too young to have a pen-pal, although I am wondering whether to send Samuel a link to bwb......