Mothering in the Midst

Being in rehearsal makes for precious time at home.  Not that the boys are angels (don't get me wrong), but I did get to spend some significant time with them this evening while Dave was out.  We made caramel apples, as you can see, and then read books together.  Donovan read two and then I read two, one being chapter six of "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader".  I'm still cobbling together our childcare for tomorrow.  There's a staff meeting scheduled, but I'll be in Drumheller at the doctor's at that time.  I believe I still have a sinus infection.

--Dave fathered the boys most of the rest of the day and I learnedthey played well together.  Donovan has his pet "Soft Paws" from school and is tending to her very kindly.  I appreciate his care and responsibility as he takes his turn with her this weekend. 

This morning was fun because we got to sleep in a little with Donovan home from school.  The boys came and pounced on my bed.  "What would you like for breakfast?" I asked, "Pancakes or waffles?"  "Pancakes!" yelled Donovan.  "Well, if we make pancakes it'll take a long time before you can eat them... at least 20 minutes."  That's when Weston blew me away.  "Oh, Donovan!" he says, eyes wide and clapping his hands with glee, "that means we get to help A LOT!"  Oh, that made me laugh.  And help they did.  I nearly stopped Weston at one point as he dove the cup measurement into the flour.  Then I paused.  "Oh, let him make a mess" I thought.  My smiling four year old was covered in dust and eager to keep going 10 minutes later, and my seven year old had poured the milk, got out the eggs, and cracked them all by himself.  The cakes turned out great with grandma's yeast recipe and the boys made them into little Pokeman faces with chocolate chips and strawberries from the freezer.

I'm reminded of the license plate we were given when we bought our van after we first arrived in Alberta.  "FUN" Ha.  Dave and I can take ourselves too seriously at times.  For all our fervor to suss out the significance of each little thing, we can forget to let in the light.  The light that shows a bigger job as just more time to enjoy helping ...A LOT.  Fun.