Joy

He brings it.

By simply being himself.

Yes, he can be cranky.

Yes, he can be willful.

But mostly?  

Joyful.

He laughs easily.

He learns quickly.

He is endlessly imaginative.

He creates original songs

that make me snort diet coke out my nose

if I'm not careful.

He shares freely.

He snuggles tight.

He questions, 

endlessly,

deeply,

beyond his years.

He moves fearlessly.

He talks,

and talks,

and talks some more.

He sleeps soundly.

He snores softly.

(Wakes up miserable.)

Benjaminh.

At very nearly 4.

Brought to you by mama's new Fuji camera...

Growing, growing, BIG!

Is it just me?

Or does the wee dude 

look a whole lot bigger than wee

in this shot?

A Fair Day

A little town fair,

a parade,

lots of candy thrown during the parade,

cotton candy as a main course for lunch,

free, fun, simple face painting...

sooooo thrilled to be the hulk,

a free hat and a chat with the local FD,

one $5 game and a cute little frog prize.

A couple of lovely sunny hours.

Overall?  a success.

Not at all interested in the animals,

or the handcrafts,

or the rides,

or anything to eat except cotton candy.

Tomorrow?

A dog show.

And a power rangers toy from Auntie Kimley

as an early birthday present.

Should be a great day.

A beautiful day of fun in the hot hot sun 

followed by sleeping in his very own bed.

A decision he made...

the announcement went something like this:

I don't like the rules in your bed.

Lay down!  

Close your eyes.  

Stop kicking me in the head.

So I'm going to my bed.

In my bed I can sleep standing up

and I can look at pictures of people 

who aren't so bossy.

It took 30 minutes or so

but he did fall asleep....

but 30 minutes passed swiftly

 because I was reading my book, 

peacefully

alone 

in my own bed.

warm day-cold hose

He played in the dirt for hours.

Dressed entirely in brown.

Yes, on purpose.
He was helping with the garden,

wanted to wash his new crocs.

Warm day-cold hose.

So much fun!

Nothing but fun on the farm...

Impromptu visit to nana's and gramp's farm...

uncle stinky is in town

from the wild west

and we couldn't possibly miss a chance for a visit.

And it is nana's/mother's day tomorrow.

Fun fun fun on the farm.

It's the simple things...

The porch, the sun, a cup of tea and a great book.

Visits with precious friends.

Sand boxes and mud pies,

rivers and erosion.

Yard work.  In pjs.

Home, cuddling, still in pj's at 4pm.

Running and wrestling with the big boys
until dark.

A beautiful puppy.

Tiny babies and protective families.

Outdoor hide and go seek, in socks,
just because it doesn't matter.

Evening park play.

Time.

Yes, the puppy has a double ear infection
and has gained 7.5kg in 10 months...

The winter tires need to be changed
and the suspension is making suspicious noises...again...

Grade changes, workplace politics
and special needs children
that probably wont get assessed in a timely fashion.

Timelines, due dates, events, planning, hurrying, rushing.

It's the simple things.