Today we fishy-types went to PA to BigDaddyFish's uncle's farm for a graduation party for BDF's cousin A. There was some doubt at one point if this day would ever come due to a variety of reasons, so we are all real proud of A, and we went out of our way to make the trip despite the ordeal that is travelling with 3 little kids, while pregnant, with my in-laws (but that's another story). It was wonderful to see BigDaddyFish's relatives, who we don't get to see very often due to the distance, and the group included four different generations, so there was a great mix of life experience going on. Just one of those times when it's great to sit back and marvel at the whole circle of life thing. I know, I know, how cliche, but really, how often do we actually get to DO that?
They have horses - RT and Little Man got to ride them. Trout was over the moon - guess we need to look for a place for her to have a horse someday. Sunny was too scared to ride them, but she got to chase butterflies and run around and flirt her heart out, so she was happy, plus, there was watermelon. So there ya go.
But there were boys for Little Man to "play" with - lots of boys, big boys. They tolerated him and indulged him as though he were the little brother they didn't have. He got to run, jump, kick things, hit things, shoot things (paintball, with lots of supervision), smash things, scream, yell, and just revel in his boyness, something he really doesn't get to do much of here, with all these girls around. He got dirty, he made a mess, and not only did nobody jump on him for it, he was encouraged and helped along in his endeavours.
At one point, I went into the house to put my feet up, since they were swollen to elephantine proportions. I rested secure in the knowledge that I didn't have to worry about any of my kids - they were all being taken care of and indulged and happy. Little Man burst into the house yelling "Mom! Mom! Guess what? Those guys have helmets, Mom, helmets like for NASCAR, and I got to put one on, Mom, and they have goggles, with velcro, and I LOOKED JUST LIKE A NASCAR DRIVER!" And then he grabbed me, and gave me a bear hug, and I asked if he had gone for a ride (they had ATVs and I was mildly concerned that they took him on one) and he said "No, Mom, I just pretended, but it was GREAT!" He stood there, dirty from head to toe, dirt streaked on his cheeks, hair dishevelled, eyes shining, face beaming. I've never seen him so happy.
There will be more messes around here in the future.
Comments