Happy Summer Solstice

My plan was to take the kids swimming after dinner on officially the longest day of daylight in the year. But that was before my work shuttle broke down on my way to school from work. Not a cab to be found. Once home I realized in vain that as soon as I issued the decree that any fighting would result in a loss of swimming privileges I pretty much guaranteed the end of that pipe dream. So instead I focused on creating a great meal during an epically long and peaceful household-wide timeout and figured a late night walk would do us all good.

This is Aria being a sponge: learning to eat a popsicle from Roland.

I was reading today again how formative the first five years are for children. How their minds are like sponges and they have the never ending curiosity we adults have to attend seminars and read books to recapture. Tonight was one of those nights Roland's brain was so sponge-like I could feel a gravitational pull towards his head and the last bit of my brain draining out. Over the course of the almost 4 hours we spent together we talked about friends, family, marriage, when we are going to see Stella, dating, aging, religion, how babies are made (thanks Jill and Rachel), dinosaurs, evolution, concerts, Spanish, insects, roofing, cooking, building, what teeth are made out of, responsibilities, and last but not least, music. There's probably more but I didn't take notes.



Roland showing her how...

Whew! I'm not sure I said anything right, but most of the time I listened more to what he understood and encouraged him to tell me what he thought (and boy, he will) but wow, this Mom is waving the white flag. Mom's brain is done for the night. Keep at it Roland - it's wonderful!

Add caption

Meanwhile, 2nd Sponge - little miss Aria - is soaking in everything, too. Practicing Spanish, picking fights, dancing to music, wearing panties (she's SO proud of this, just let her tell you) and summoning all the sass I never knew a child could posses. Tonight, shockingly since we do this every - single - night, at the dinner table I was once again coaching her to eat her dinner I added a little extra emphasis to my voice tone and wouldn't you know, she closed her eyes. Seriously. I guess she just thought that if she couldn't see me I would just go away. If only you could see the sweet smirk on her little face as she sat there with her eyes closed while I lectured. And when I got quiet and gave her the should be terrifying parental glare-down, waiting for her eyes to open, she snuck a very slow peak at me with just a sliver of her eyelids opening and then closed them tight and turned away. Aria 1, Mom 0.

Meanwhile Roland is about to lose it across the table becuase he thinks this is hilarious. This is when I know my glare-down works because I shot it at him...but Aria? She's proving to be a bit more challenging in that arena. Either way, once the dinner (39 minutes later) was over and cleaned up we loaded up in the back pack and stroller and set out into the night for a calming and explorative night walk. So, whew, tada - happy summer solstice everyone. Hope you got to enjoy this extra long day as much as I have!

Someone is discovering that popsicles are COLD!