Weekend Shenanigans

This weekend brought plenty of work and play. With Andrew back in town, we buckled down on yard work (okay, Andrew buckled down on yard work while I went grocery shopping by myself for the first time in months) and gardening, but found plenty of time to reconnect after such a scatterbrained summer. Tomorrow, Milo starts kindergarten. On Wednesday, Emil turns two. There sure is a lot going on over the next couple of weeks.

I watched these three little boys, still so young and needy, but growing more independent every day. I watched them just… scatter. At a really cool (and kind of scary) playground called Queenie Park just west of where we live, they climbed in and out of concrete tubes, tunneling their way from one end to another, disappearing from sight only to reappear several feet higher. They climbed the slanting stone walls without fear. They called to each other with excited voices and encouraged their littlest brother when he needed a pep talk (only on the slide). And at one point, I remember thinking, how is it that we are responsible for keeping these three little human beings alive and well 24 hours a day?!!! It’s best not to think about it. That thought alone could drive someone crazy!

But something else has emerged, in relation to that thought. These little mini human beings have started to have something to do with that issue of self-preservation. Milo definitely looks out for Emil, and Oliver has started to as well. And they know their limits, 99% of the time. The tenderness that sometimes emerges when they are exploring a new place, the sheer joy tempered with realistic expectations for their youngest brother and his abilities shines through and somehow, some way, they are okay. More than okay, they are radiant with childhood.

And I can breathe again, with Andrew home, the family together… until next time!