Things have gotten warmer and this is partly good and partly sad. What's good is Weston can be encouraged to go outside a bit more. He's been frostbit a few times (not seriously) on his toes and he can't stand the thought of having to endure the painful rush of blood back into his feet so that they ache. He usually howls with pain and big drops spill from his incredible eyes as if to say, "How could you let this happen to me?" I rub and blow my hot breath on his red toes and try to caution him: "'Course, this wouldn't happen if you wouldn't sneak into your boots WITHOUT SOCKS ON!!" Anyway, now he's learned the hard way to wear TWO pairs and Dave found some snowboots on sale that come halfway up his shin, so he's well protected. But, as I said, the weather has warmed. Warmed for us anyway which means it hovers near freezing these days.
This shot of David with the blue ornament is evidence that yes, we have not yet pulled down our Christmas ornaments... maybe after Valentine's?
The sad part for me is how drab the snow looks now. Bald brown patches are showing everywhere and the mud spatter from the road has made the virginal white banks all soddy -- and not a rich, chocolate milk kind of brown, but a gritty, ugly kind of dirt. The skies are no longer blue but the same dull white as the earth and so the view out the window is like one took all the color out of a photo. The trees are naked and the birds are few.
But inside... I still have a very precocious 4-almost-5 year old who says the most outrageous things, makes up spontaneous 5 minute songs and who never tires of being played with, read to, or having a little snack. Sometimes I sigh and have such a fierce longing to DELVE into something like researching my play or preparing for class, that I have to remember this little green eyed urchin is probably only home full time for another 8 months (that is if he follows in his brother's footsteps and goes away to school part time next fall. He'll be old enough for kindergarten and eager enough for grade 3!)
So, what's a mother to do?
After a short bike ride the other day, it was time to return home and pull together some lunch, but then his little bright face looks up and I can see he doesn't want to go in yet. I sigh and think again. "Please Mom... I could really use the exercise![BLINK BLINK SMILE]" Now that's not fair using my own words against me. I have to laugh and let him ride some more; big look of gleeful adventure pasted on his face. I watch him go. "He really is good" I muse to myself. His balance and coordination are remarkable. Not only is he clever, he's skilled. --What an education he's already getting.
He's taken to having us read Pippi Longstocking to him while Donovan's at school. Dave and I wonder at the audaciousness of Pippi, but he eats it up!
Dave took an interesting photo of one of Grandma Meltebeke's gold spoons half buried in a rhubarb blueberry cobbler. I like the pull of the shot, and the spoon reminds me of Grandma and my mom, -- a little touch of elegance in our cluttery home. We try, but I don't ever feel caught up with cleanliness. Makes me wonder if I still need to put together my LIFE memory book and process things I'm carrying before I can really catch up and live more tidy each day. I must be carrying some things that need ordering... inside.
This last shot of Weston is him showing me how he can see through things. "Mom, I have magical powers" he asserted. "I can see through things." --"Yes, honey, but that has a hole in it." --"No, I can see through the solid part. I'll show you." He is certain (as he goes cross-eyed.)
Ahhh... my time is up. Dave is reading to Weston right now and he's not sitting up straight which is a sure set up for sleepy, nonsensical voice, so Daddy needs relief. We'll go to the Rosebud Inn for a special family lunch. We'll celebrate the end of a long stint of school and busyness and look forward to a week of no teaching for Dave and I. (Dave yawns again. He's so sleepy.) But I miss Donovan. He is gone so much of the day... thankfully Friday's are shorter and he'll be here by 3pm. Then we'll have 2 days off! Hallelu!
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