‘As Happy as a Boy With a Bucketful of Dinosaurs’

A large part of today was spent being a pseudo uncle to two twin boys aged seven and their younger brother aged four. The hours spent in the Natural History Museum, were as ever, an educational experience. For a start I determined that while one good eye and two hands might be enough for me to marshal two children under the age of 10, it is not really adequate for three.

Hopefully my young charges learnt a few things. If nothing else they may have possibly discovered that seeing a video clip about mountain goats in not an excuse to climb on the displays like one on. They now also know that while most buttons on the exhibits can be pressed and fun things will happen, anything big and red with the word ‘EMERGENCY’ is not for pushing.

Other big discoveries of the day included learning the mosaic floor of the Central Hall of the NHM is a wonderful place for a picnic and ‘as happy a boy with a bucketful of dinosaurs’ is a perfect similie for deep joy. Sitting in the afternoon sun outside Brompton Oratory, surrounded by the constant energy of South Kensington and three young boys discovering pigeons for the first time, I had my own bucketful of dinosaurs moment. Being a pseudo uncle might not exactly be parenthood training, but it is hugely rewarding fun.