Listening

I like organization, it helps me enjoy and prepare for the unexpected. Anyone who really knows me knows lists are my crutch. Even if I don't perfectly adhere to them, they are soothing as a mental exercise of expectations. Today was a perfect day of no plans. So naturally, I made a list. And while we got most of what we needed to get done, the day wasn't dictated by the list, moreover it was dictated by desires. I wanted to work in the front yard, Brian wanted to wash the dogs, and so on. Sometimes we dictate the day based upon adventures for the kids, but today we shifted the focus to making adventures out of just hanging out.

I didn't capture a single photo of the day. This only feels strange because we have had a succession of weekends where photos were a must. When the day ended I still wanted to capture some of the fun through words at least. I started to revisit the list...and decided against it. Instead, my favorite moments from today were things that I heard, versus saw.

Like this morning, which was a perfect spring morning, rocking out with the kids on the way to an impromptu breakfast, and hearing them sing along to the radio. Watching Aria wave out the window rolled down as we drove, saying "Hi!" to no one in particular. Hearing Aria say "Papa" as she walked into my grandparents house arms reaching high for a hug. Listening to Brian and Roland wash the dogs in the backyard, and hearing how helpful Roland was. Listening to the scrape of the rake on the driveway letting me know where Aria was as we worked in the front yard. Listening to her curious but reluctant squeal as she discovered a worm for the first time. (Not a fan, surprisingly.)

The special laugh Aria has just for Roland, when he delights her, pretending to be a slug, slinking around the house with the picnic mat on his back. He goes out of his way sometimes to make her laugh, and it's incredible to observe. The sound of baseball on the TV calming everyone down into the afternoon. Hearing Aria's deep breathing as we settle into a nap. Later in the day listening to Aria and Roland's strange exchange in the grocery cart, in a language only translatable by siblings I'm sure. And of course the crying, screaming, whining, and door slamming. It wouldn't be a real day without a bit of that noise as well. That just assists in the appreciation of the sounds that make us smile.

So today was a great day. Mostly us just enjoying us. There were decadent spells of quiet and rousing sessions of chaos. But overall, a great day to listen in on our life.

Oh! And I forgot one more that I'll want to remember: Aria's howl. There's a book "Wolf's Coming" that has a long howl at the front, and a movie, "Balto" that has lots of dramatic howling in it. Roland and I taught Aria to howl and it is quite possibly the cutest thing ever. I have to get a photo or video of it. She kinda grins with her lips slightly separated and "howwwuuuuuu's". It's adorable and cracks me up!