The doldrums of winter have passed and there is wind in my sails again. Springy things are happening--tulips popping, mud puddling, laundry hanging, ice cream outings increasing. We scooped up a cupful of frog eggs on our last hike excursion through the Canterbury Hills in Ancaster, and although the biologist of the family had completely lost faith in the little guys, (granted, they sat unchanging in a Tim Horton's cup of sludge water for nearly 3 weeks) I did not, and they hatched 2 days ago. We are now growing frogs on our front porch.
Saturday was a particularly enjoyable day, being Mother's day, despite two serious parenting fails.
The first- James and I, picnicking at the park with the kids, talking about how awesome this park is because the kids CAN'T hurt themselves (ours usually do) when Anneliese falls off the jungle gym. A big drop. I didn't know I could scream until that moment. She was fine, overall, but James retreated into himself for the next 3 hours or so going through all the horrible worst case scenarios of what could have happened. I'm glad he kept that to himself. I'm much more the "oh, phew- she's fine- let's forget about THAT" type. To each his own. That wrapped up our picnic pretty quickly, and we headed into Dundas for a little window shopping.
Second fail-- deciding it would be a good idea to take the kids into a toy shop in Dundas. (Italics needed to stress that Dundas is the upper class side of town, and children just don't do upper class). We enter- kids bee line for a wooden clown on a stick, start to fight over it, and then I step on it and snap it, in my attempt to get in between the squabble. Then I hide the stick, (all my proper upbringing gone in that one instant) and football carry an angry son out of the store. James, in no mood for this, is already long gone with Anneliese. At the car, I tell him I snapped the stick, and he tells me to get my butt back in there and buy it (a good man :)) So I go, $20 bucks in hand, to buy my Mother's day gift on Mother's day. (side note- the lady said she was feeling magnanimous, (which I had to go and look up when I got home) and let me off the hook. The word was a good one, if you're interested: generous in forgiving an insult or injury; free from petty resentfulness or vindictiveness: to be magnanimous toward one's enemies.)
Sunday was a day to bask in the glory of my parent's estate. Forsythias punching colour along the property line, magnolia blossoms in full swing, and the cousins dominating the tennis court on their little trikes loving life, liberty and the pure childish pursuit of happiness (plagiraism noted ) I love my parents home. Every time I go I have grand plans to take hikes with the kids and explore my old stomping grounds but we always end up just staying put and soaking everything in from the pond or patio. I forget that the kids don't need 'outings' like they do here in the 'burbs'. They have enough to do on the property, and that's exactly how I remember life at home growing up. I think that's why it's so easy to be there, and why I love taking my family there. And of course my parents are fabulous.
Another thing of note-and completely off topic-- every member of the former 'wild things' clan (my childhood friends for life) have now crossed over to the stage of motherhood. In order- Joc was the first brave soul to take the plunge, then me, then Vanessa, then Kristina, then Sarah, and now Cheryl. Congratulations friends! This was a topic discussed at length in the hoeing fields growing up, and can finally move from speculation to fact. I'm happy for each and every one of you, and I am ALWAYS available if you need someone to share a coffee with, and to give you an honest sschpeel on having life turned upside down, and finding a way to navigate it while on your head:) Yes, sometimes it's that extreme.
Now a shout out to my babies.
Jesse makes me proud. For a week our driveway has been piled high in paving stones, and Saturday was the day to set out the skids and start stacking. Tim, Jordan, James and myself got to work, loading wheelbarrows etc, and Jesse came in with his little red wagon and just got it done. I think, on his own, he stacked 3 layers of the smallest bricks. Seeing that kid work makes me proud. I no longer work to distract him, but get him to work. Tonight he cut all the mushrooms for our dinner with his butter knife. I like noticing these subtle developments in my boy. He's a sweetheart.
Anneliese makes me laugh. Her life is a giant game, and I think that's pretty great. She sings a LOT - her favourites being Raffi's "It's my bathtime" and the classic Sharon, Lois, and Bram "Skinna marinky dinky dink". She repeats everything and has a dirt fetish. I think she's a grub on purpose, just because she loves the bath so much. Her hair is getting blonde, and is going to be beautifully curly. Her eyes are more hazel now, like mine, but darker. There's nothing very delicate about her, but it's nice to know that she can fall (far) and bounce back up. A strong girl.
And baby #3. We don't know you at all yet, but I'm going to get a little look at you next week for my 19 week ultra sound. So far, you've been a joy to carry :)
Annnnnd it wouldn't be fair to talk about new babies without mentioning my newest and only Harskamp nephew- Judah Glenn Matthias Harskamp- born only 4 days ago to my wonderful bro and sis- in law Brian and Ali. As far as I know, they are all doing great. I'm pretty pumped for my kids to meet the newest cuz, and to see just what kind of boy he's going to be for his parents :) Can't help but hope he's a lot like J- bear :)
