I finally tempted Wilson inside IKEA by telling him about the Ice cream dispenser in the foyer.
It's my experience that all children like putting coins in slots, and W is no different — especially when frozen treats are on offer.
Actually there were three machines, vending respectively Soft Ice Cream, Frozen Yogurt and Milkshake. He couldn't decide which to have first... although he ended up having all three. Obviously. It is his birthday, after all.
Actually, I had to help him finish the ice cream because it gave him 'brain freeze'.
Then we headed further into the depths of the Scandinavian Superstore...
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In other news, Wilson has just received an email from The Bees, saying that they'll be flying into Brighton tomorrow for the Brighton and Hove Albion Victory Parade! 🐝🐝⚽️
Having had a very sheltered childhood at the zoo, Wilson is fascinated by – and finds fun in – the strangest things.
When he first came to live with me it would take ages to get into any shop with automatic doors, because he would spend so long playing with them. Likewise, before this trip he had never come across revolving doors.
He spent a very long time going in, round and out again, then just walking round and round inside them — it was as though they were a free 'ride-as-long-as-you-like' Roundabout!
I think I know how to coax him out of the doors, though — I've spotted something inside that he's going to love!
TODAY IS WILSON'S BIRTHDAY!
As soon as it got light this morning, and while the rest of the household was still sleeping, he tossed his breakfast down his throat, grabbed his birthday cards and a carton of Ant Juice and went outside to wait in the car.
Remembering how exciting birthdays are when you haven't had very many of them I didn't have the heart to make him wait while I had breakfast, so I just had a cup of coffee then went to join him.
When I saw the Ant Juice I made him promise not to spill any on the upholstery of our new Juke, as I know how his juice stains!
Then we set off for a day at IKEA!
The sun is shining and the country lanes are lined with the green of trees newly in leaf and blooming Blackthorn hedges, the grassy banks fringed with bluebells.
You may think IKEA is an unlikely destination for a young boy's birthday treat, but Wilson is no ordinary lad — I really think he'll love it there!
Wilson has made it clear that, in spite of the liberal use of Splurge, custard pies and flour bombs in Antsy Malone — The Musical, he will NOT be showering after each performance, and he will have a Rider to this effect written into his Contract.
However, should any member of the audience be 'accidentally' splurged, Souvenir Splurge Removal Products will be available from the Concessions Stand in the foyer, price £5, cash only please.
Notwithstanding his personal hygiene issues, I really do think this could be the IDEAL musical for Wilson — not only does he have the Mediterranean good looks of an Italian-American Gangster, he also has the hat!
Ms Julia should expect to hear from Wilson soon!
Anyway, here is what Wilson calls an 'Authentic Autographed Promo Photo' for you — it shows him posing in the garden, 1930s-style, with his Splurge Gun.
It's apparently part of the Antsy Malone Press Pack, but so far the photo is all he's got...
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There will be an EXTRA POST tomorrow (Thursday), because it's Wilson's birthday — do check in to see what he's up to!
In an effort to distract Wilson from overexcited anticipation of his imminent birthday, I've taken him on a trip to Staverton's Garden Centre.
We hadn't been to Staverton's since the massive make-over, and it is magnificent — Wilson couldn't even believe it was the same place, because it looks completely different... and about five times larger!
We bought some bark chippings and quite a lot of plants for the garden, but W's favourite purchase was a small, iron ant — you can just see it resting on a bag of Levington's at the front of the trolley.
I fear this is going to be used in a large number of Practical Jokes...
Wilson, a follower of Lee Strasberg's Method Acting, wears his Leonard Cohen hat all the time now to help him get into his role. He says that not only does it help him 'inhabit' the part of Antsy Malone, it also makes him look 'WELL trendy-bendy — and v. popular with the Ladies!'
Hmmmmm...
It's not long now until Wilson's birthday!
He has a love of all things Scandinavian (Scandiana he calls it): Nordic Noir tv series, ABBA, Daim Bars, Freja Beha Erichsen, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo etc (in fact he's re-watching the English-language version of Dragon Tattoo right now) so on his birthday I'm planning to take him on a trip to... IKEA!
I know one or two of you regard a trip to IKEA like visiting the Eighth Circle Of Hell, but I'm certain he'll love it!
Visiting IKEA is almost like visiting Sweden, except it's warmer, nearer and all the prices are in £ Sterling! 🇸🇪🙂
It's a surprise, so please don't say anything to him!
