Another post from weekends ago...slowly catching up.
I'm still trying to learn how to write in a style that is informative for the kids, but my style is often too step-by-step narrative. I enjoy an author who writes from musings rather from events, which I admire, so I'll attempt it with this post, but, for prosperity, I'm waiting to hear the President address the nation on the death of Osama Bin Laden. It's been a pretty historical weekend.
I enjoyed the uninterrupted-all-mine company of the kids this weekend. True to my nature, the first 24 hours are just ridiculously indulgent. So, after work on Thursday did I race home to cook dinner? Pish, no. We got it to go and took it to the park where we dinned like royalty enjoying a perfect spring evening before playing our fannies off at the park.
Two interesting conversations. A 5-year-old eating with us at the picnic table asked if I was Roland and Aria's step-mom, and while I made a joke out of it, it hurt because he was obviously wrestling with the changing dynamics of his family and we all talked about it. I recognized many things in that simple conversation.
Which brings me to another conversation held over by the swings, when it became apparent we needed to find a bathroom, and fast. And as we hustled to the community center, my little 4-year-old gave me some emotional coaching, "Mom, are you mad?" "No, I'm disappointed." "Good, because no one wants to see you mad." Funny. Thanks Roland, I'll keep that in mind. We made the most of that event and took in some basketball...it was a bit much for Roland.
Friday? More of the same, different park. Chased squirrel's like it was our job, did miles and miles just wandering around Sylvan Park and 12th South listening the radio with all the windows down. Met up with Calen over on Belcourt and got dinner. Roland, ever the big man on campus, held our table. Thoughtful. Calen's comment that still makes me smile, as he held Aria on his hip and clutched Roland's hand, "How do you do this? My arm is about to fall off?" It'd been about 1 min since he'd picked her up. On that note I'll brag about strapping her into the back pack and pushing Roland in the stroller for our nightly walk tonight. Yeah, that's 70 lbs folks. And I was huffing it up the hills!
Sometimes you need to refuse to leave the house and that is what Saturday was. While my mind lingered on runners clicking of miles in the race, the rest of me was focused on painting with the kids in the garage and building forts in the backyard. Meanwhile, the bed is unmade, we're still in PJs and the dishes are spilling out from the sink onto the counter.
Nothing suits us better than an evening at the Ranch. The kids just seem to soak up the mountain air and everyone just chills. Sure, there are some interesting moments - everyone seems to get a lick in, and be the receiver - but somewhere in the middle of us telling stories and taking turns checking on the kids we find ourselves enjoying a peaceful meal while four kids under the age of four dine harmoniously by themselves out on the deck.
Sunday we attempted to free Cali from my grandparents house likely causing my grandfather a heart attack - which he'll never admit. The kids ate half a box of cereal and we fed the birds(threw birdseed doing the birdseed dance).
Interesting things I've learned this weekend.
Aria is extremely smart and way more comfortable challenging us than her brother. She will laugh in your face while standing on top of the booster seat as you order her through clinched teeth to sit on her bottom.
Nothing works better for trimming nails than an episode of the Backyardigans. The constant Broadway-esque tunes do the trick.
Aria is still teething and puts everything in her mouth. But tonight I caught her putting Brian's chapstick (closed) into her ear...
My smart, smart boy Roland still manages to drive me crazy and make me swoon. On the way home from Kristi's I put in the new Radiohead CD. "Mom, this is nice, who is this?" "It's a very talented band called Radiohead." "Redhead?" "No, Radiohead, here, let me play you this great song called Lotus." I checked the rear view a few moments later and he was out cold. Aria on the other hand was still going strong...at 10PM.
Randomly, late Sunday evening trying to catch a moment on the couch I sat down to see that the announcers had taken over the broadcast and were reporting Osama Bin Laden had been killed and that the President was going to give an address. I was floored. I really couldn't believe it and instantly called Brian - who I knew was on the other line with his mom - and left a message to turn on the news. We chatted for a while watching the reporters confirm, speculate, prep and position for the coming address. We hung up to watch the address, and then resumed the call after he had completed. We both agreed, it was kinda one of those moments. Those speeches. Where history was made and we both wanted to remember where we were when we heard the news, how we felt listening to the President's words, and what the event meant. We were both really moved. The President was calm, but intense, with a thoughtful but concise message that spoke volumes. The general listener wouldn't even catch the subtle messages and explanations during the first pass.
Laying in bed I thought about what my weekend had been like, and what the President's had been like. He had visited the tornado ravaged Alabama on Friday night, met with his advisers - ordering a capture or kill on Osama Bin Laden on Saturday night, probably slept little, meeting often to review and plan for the announcement Sunday night. These are the days we the public can see why presidents age so much during their terms. It also points out how crucial it is to vote for someone you think can handle weekends like this. I wonder if he stole a moment between the devastation of nature and attempting to protect the world from terrorists to steal a hug from his girls? Chat a bit with his wife? I hope so, he's earned it.
Meanwhile, just another weekend in paradise for me.
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