March Break, Slow and Easy
March 16, 2006
Our kids have slowed me down this week. It’s been rewarding and they have shown me the world through their eyes. Dylan has taken quite an interest in photography and he is proud to show off his work through Didgery Doo (link in sidebar). Thank you to everyone who encouraged him by leaving a comment ~ you should have seen his face. He was BEAMING. So thank you, from the bottom of my heart!
Dylan also thinks that other kids out there might be interested in following his lead. He is about to create a community blog for kids under 18 to participate by sending in their photos. If your kid(s) might be interested, please send an email to didgerydoo AT gmail.com. All kids must have express permission from their parent/guardian, and all photos remain the property of the artist.
On to March Break. We have slept as long as Thomosaurus Rex will allow, until around 8, which is much better than the usual 6:30 we have to rise at, for school. This alone makes March Break fun for everyone as we go at our own pace.
We’ve risen slowly, getting sippy cups, juice boxes, coffee and cereal as needed, and staying in our pyjamas until we are ready to start our adventures.
Monday looked bleak. The weather was cold, rainy and windy and the kids were restless. Motivation for me was low (read - I was feeling LAZY), and we ended up playing on the rug all morning, building Lego castles under comforter forts and reading library books with big pictures and animated noises. We laughed alot that morning, and by lunchtime, Thomas was eager to sleep. As I went up to make lunch at 11:30, the thunderstorm had worsened enough that the power went out. We grazed on sandwiches and goodies instead of having the hot lunch we all wanted.
Thomas fell asleep easily in the quiet and Dylan and I abandoned the darkened rec room to play with the camera and his cars, Lego men, and the Easter Tree in the front window. I taught Dylan some features of the camera and the afternoon was soon lost in stifled giggles and whispered questions. At dinnertime, the power returned and Thomas woke up at the same time, almost like someone had flipped his switch too.
Soon enough, Daren came home to a hot spaghetti dinner and Dylan proudly showing him photos. We spent the evening just being together and soon, the little ones were off to bed.
Tuesday was the trip to the Maple Sugar Bush with friends. It was still cold and windy, but the rain had turned to snow and the pancakes tasted so good in the outdoors. We were all bundled up warm and huddled together on the wagon. I wore Daren’s giant jacket and looked like a freaking marshmellow man, but hey, I had kids to snuggle. Thomas enjoyed the horses; and Dylan, now in charge of the camera, attacked us all with it. We came home to let Thomas sleep and Dylan played hockey in the street with buddies all afternoon. Red cheeked, he returned with an empty belly and a huge smile on his face.
Wednesday we ran errands, but a simple trip to the grocery turned into fun for the kids since we got the car shaped cart where they could sit side by side and “drive” the cart. They giggled and played through the whole store, muching on bologna and crackers. The best moment was when Dylan put his arm around Thomas’ little shoulders and kissed him on the cheek. I wish I had brought the camera then ~ my heart melted.
Girlfriends of mine came over for homemade quesadillas that night, both enjoying the quiet of not having their own kids with them, but relishing in the presence of our two boys. Thomas charmed them with kisses and games of peek-a-boo, while Dylan showed them his new hobby with such pride.
Yesterday we slept until nearly 9 (wow!) and both boys enjoyed a play date while I ran a couple of errands. Later, we went to see Dylan’s babysitter that used to watch him, and her family. We enjoyed their company over pizza and chatter, and the atmoshere was so comfortable and warm. We returned last night to find Daren home early from work and the kids got to play with him for some time before heading off to la-la land.
Today we are hosting a play date with more old friends, and none of us can wait. It’s been too long since we saw them last, and yet it’s the kind of thing where it will seem like we only saw one another yesterday. I love friendships like that.
The weekend brings family back from Mexico, after a month of missing them, I’m sure Saturday night will be full of kisses, hugs, stories and laughter. If Daren’s cooking, our tummies will be happy as well!
What did you do for March Break?
