Today Weston took me out to explore some more "Parkour" courses in town. I nearly froze my fingers and toes off, but he loved it. I was really looking forward to my fresh cinnamon swirl bread and warm cocoa while he was finding obstacles on which to balance leap over and tackle. Everything was an olympic dance event and I got most of it on film, and some on stills. Of course with my digital camera, it's really hard to capture the moment he's leaping. Poor guy did 5 cartwheels before we gave up trying to get a shot with his legs in the air. That's one thing I miss about old fashioned film cameras... at least they'd click when you pushed the button!
I love that he's giving himself permission to try things. A picnic table is not just a table, but a platform, a hiding place, a launch pad for a twist and a balance beam.
Earlier Dave was tickling Weston and he kept saying stop but he was still laughing. Finally he said sadly, "Dad, when I say stop, I mean it, even if I'm still laughing." Dave got the message. It was so clear. I like that my boys can express themselves verbally when they need to. I get what they're saying. Donovan will say what he likes and doesn't about my cooking, his clothes, his drawings.
The other day we were trying to get out the door fast to go shopping and the boys were lagging. First they had to finish eating lunch, then brush teeth and get out the door and they were still cracking each other up with jokes. Then some fun music came on and Weston HAD to get up and dance and Donovan wanted to join him. "You can dance at the grocery store!" I blurted out, "not at home!" Then we all laughed. How ridiculous. Now Donovan won't let me off the hook. If he sees me dancing he says, "Mom, save it for the grocery store, please.... no dancing at home." Oh my they are witty... and I really stepped in it.
I went on to confess to the boys that I did a cartwheel in a grocery store once. I'd been living in married student housing at the U of O and our place was so small and cluttered there was no room. So when I saw those wide naked aisles at Safeway, I couldn't resist. I put down my basket and just did one. Whew! The boys laughed at that and then I instantly knew I was in for next time. They have to try it now. Although maybe we should find a big field to practice getting their legs straight first because I don't want them taking out a row of tomato cans!
We saw a heartwarming "Christmas in Wales" preview tonight based on the writing of Dylan Thomas. I enjoyed the characters and the language very much. Weston and Donovan kept doing the high stepping prance of the fireman. They were really inspired by the first act and had some genuine giggles. After a fire drill where we had to go out in the cold, the night got long and Weston was grumpy by the end. Too bad we got them to bed so late on a school night. I do not look forward to a morning full of urging and threats... but at least they're peachy with the sun!
Speaking of mornings (I sound like Weston: "Speaking of trains...") Anyway... speaking of mornings, this morning we missed the bus! Dave went into the kitchen and saw one of our three clocks blinking like the power had gone out, but the others were "fine." So he adjusted the blinking clock to match the others only to see the bus drive by 12 minutes early. ?! Then we realized that the non-blinking clocks were 12 minutes behind. Strange. The power must have gone out right around midnight, which is what those clocks set back to, and it must have only gone out for about 10 minutes so it was almost imperceptible to know. At any rate, Donovan got a free ride to school and David got a nice cup of coffee in town. (Yes, Donovan is back in school now and a bit better, although he still looks pale to me.)
I'm writing my play now and am trying new things: collapsing scenes into one another and cutting out much of the poetry. It's risky. I have a number of challenges facing me and I'm scared. I even wrapped Christmas presents today to do something fun and other... course I can't just sit at the computer all day, but it's hard to work in fits and starts. I will eat sweets, check email, cook, do anything small and creative and fun rather than what's before me to accomplish. --Sometimes I need to say "stop" even when I'm still laughing.
But maybe...
Just maybe I can look at it like Weston and his physical obstacles around town. Maybe I can just find a way to run up that ramp and balance - to dive into that scene or conflict with characters and bounce off in an artful way - a way that uses physics and play and flow - just like my Parkour son.
...Or just like dancing in the grocery store.
Seize the moment and make art out of obstacle. Don't wait for a long hall (or haul). Just do it in your own space when you have the urge: launch yourself into the air and see if your instincts don't find a soft way to land.
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