So who knew yesterday was St. Patrick's Day and didn't tell me? You'd think I'd have been bruised enough in childhood from not wearing green to school that it would be permanently embedded in my psyche, but noooooo. The boys made it until our friends arrived in the afternoon before they figured it out. When they mentioned it, it was all I could do to fight my first reflex of cringing and shouting, "I'm wearing green underwear! Don't touch me!" (And who says public school doesn't teach social skills?) Ah, oh well, one more minor holiday completely spaced by yours truly.
The boys had a wonderful time with their friends. First thing on the agenda: make some horrible concoction out of household goods to see if it will explode. I don't normally encourage James' "recipes", as simply hearing the ingredient list is usually enough to turn my stomach. However, there were eight children and they agreed to take it outside. It didn't explode. Not even when they added dirt. Hmmmm. But they did have fun.
Balto thought we'd had a whole new litter of puppies brought it. They've never been around puppies before (I imagine their dog is as quiet and gentle as this entire family is, from what their mother said), and two of their children were absolutely terrorized if he so much as looked at them. So Balto had to be kept from the festivities. It just about killed him not to be in the middle of the fun, but he's really not very well-behaved (not dangerous, just not bright) and we didn't invite them out to scar their children.
They brought a paving stone kit for a housewarming gift. We let the kids make it at the dining room table - they all stamped their names into it, and it's curing on the table for the next couple of days. When we put in the children's garden, it'll be the first paver we set. So cute!
Their mother was very sweet, and we had a nice visit, but I think the house and the process and the work we've been doing freaked her out a bit. Her exact words were, "Wow. I wouldn't have tackled this." She was nice, and encouraging, but still, I think she'll be much relieved when all is said and done (and the windows have trim). Zorak thinks it may be a cultural thing (both the fact that she was a little weirded out and that she was so polite about it). He may be right.
There are days that I wonder what we were thinking. That this will never be finished. That we're insane. I suppose, though, that seeing it come together day-by-day makes a difference. Whether it bolsters my confidence that we can do it, or just feeds the mental illness is unclear, but that's okay, too. The boys are happy here. They sing while they eat. They run to the creek. They frolick and play like happy pups. Smidge sings "we're home, home, hoooooome" when we turn into the drive. The older two have forts and hideouts and laboratories all over the property. We're giving them the childhood we hoped to give them, and as the work on the forever home itself slows, we're able to give them more of ourselves again, too (which was the biggest part of the childhood we hoped to give them).
We have a bear and a hippopotamus lurking in the back yard for archery time. Granted, they are 55 gal. trash bags filled with insulation, waiting for the trash man on Tuesday. But right now, they're wild beasts the boys hunt on safari. I sit on the back porch (the one that has a serious Appalachain Hillbilly theme going - it's still got a toilet on it, and the roof is downright terrifying) with my cup of decaf, the baby in my lap, watching Zorak with the boys, hearing their cheers and laughter at every shot, seeing them learn new skills and encourage one another. High fives all around for a good shot. Pats on the back and words of encouragement for a wayward arrow. I laugh and smile and give thanks for all this. Insanity or not, it's good, and I wouldn't trade it for something that made my husband sad or feel trapped. I wouldn't trade it for some place that we couldn't do these things together. And it's okay if not everybody gets it. We get it, and that's why we're doing it.
Oh! Another family from church had a play kitchen they were getting rid of and asked if we'd like it. Sure! So it's now sitting in the dining room and hasn't had a moment's rest while the children are up. Smidge has become quite the gourmet chef! Eggs and coffee are his specialities. (Actually, eggs and coffee are about all he will make. Oh, and tea for James.) I don't know why we never bought one before! These things rock!
As I've typed this and tried to enjoy my morning cup, all three of the boys have arisen, one at a time, and come to sit on my lap for a visit and a snuggle. It's now over an hour later than when I began and it's time to get going on the day. So I'll sign off and go round up the wee ones for some more snuggle time (that stuff is addictive, isn't it?) Y'all have a great Saturday!
Kiss those babies!
~Dy
5 comments:
I am convinced that play kitchens are only worthwile if a) you have room and b)they are received as a gift! Definitely not worth it if you buy them -- you're nearly guaranteed that they'll get bored with it within a few weeks and you'll end up donating it to the church, lol! Our church has 3!
Poor Balto. We don't let Bo play either when we have a bunch of small children over (or, at least not 'til they've visited a few times). Little children running around and shrieking and big, clumsy, excitable dogs are not a good combination.
I ususally miss St. Patrick's day entirely, but this year Travis wanted a St. Pat's Day camp out. Of course, I didn't realize it was St. Patrick's Day until it was too late, so we celebrating it today (with a tent & picnic in the backyard).
I think the Forever Home sounds absolutely marvelous. Ed can't understand why we would ever need more land than we have now (50 X 178'), but I would Love to have several acres for the kids to wander on. Many of my best childhood memories are of playing in the woods and pastures around my grandma's house in the country in north western Pennsylvania, and that is the childhood I want for my kids.
Those play kitchens are great!
Cordially,
Melora
LOL, Dy, EVERY family does things that other families would consider to be insane! I doubt I would seriously consider taking on a huge project like yours, but boy, I sure would love to see it, and you are my hero for doing it! The lady is just probably so intimidated by your and Zorak's competence in so many diverse areas! : )
"I wouldn't trade it for something that made my husband sad or feel trapped. I wouldn't trade it for some place that we couldn't do these things together. And it's okay if not everybody gets it. We get it, and that's why we're doing it."
Well said, girl! Keep at it!
ROFL@Gem - we gave our last kitchen to a church. ;-) But we got another one this Christmas *sigh*
LOL@St. Patricks Day. DIdn't you get my Irish Blessing e-mail? We had playgroup and one of the children did threaten to pinch me but he didn't do it. ;-) It was a sweet gentle teasing moment though, nothing like the sheer terror of 20 kids coming at you I remember from my childhood. Evil little leprachauns!
So anyway, sounds like you had a lovely day! Go have some Corn Beef and Cabbage and Irish Soda bread, I bet it's on sale now...LOL Mom and I celebrated here last night.
The forever home is everything you dreamed it would be. YOU dreamed, no one else. So, no one else HAS to understand. Although I do, and many others so we're bonuses. lol One day they'll be no more evidence of what it was, and people will only see your dream: living, breathing, standing there full life. That's the coolest part!
Love you!
Post a Comment