And Then It's Spring

 A funny thing happened when Beckett went back to school. Oliver actually got to be a toddler.

That sounds terrible, I know. Despite our best efforts, though, being a little brother has been no small feat during this long Covid winter. He has had very little one on one time. He has had very little time to freely explore without being scooped up to play a big boy game with his brother. He has had very little socialization with kids his age.

In fact, most of his days have been spent trying to climb into the chair beside Beckett to join virtual school. 

But, Oliver’s day is here. Last Wednesday morning was so sunny and warm that I took him to the beach to explore. This was the first time Oliver has had a solo beach walk, and usually he’s relegated to the hiking pack so we can manage easier.

This trip was so special because I got to see something new … Oliver discover the beach. We went lots last summer, but he was still in the “don’t touch the sand, don’t touch the water” phase of this relationship. Wednesday, though, Wednesday was new. He collected seashells. He tracked the gulls (“duck ducks”) with his finger across the sky. He used his hands like a sifter for sand and pebbles. He climbed the dunes and tumbled back down. 

It was all new. It was all magical. And I got to see it happen. 

This was fresh on my mind this week when I read the boys the beautiful picture book And Then It’s Spring, written by Julie Fogliano and illustrated by Erin Stead. With its simple, yet poetic writing and eclectic illustrations, Fogliano’s book tells the story of a little boy and his dog who are tired of all the dull, brown shades of winter and resolve to plant a garden for spring. Yet, they discover that waiting is hard and their imagination takes over, fretting over all of the things that could have interfered with their garden growing. And then, one day, it happens. All the brown turns to green, and it’s all new. Spring is here.

It’s been a tough year. It’s hard to wrap my mind around all that we’ve missed this long “winter.” But, Fogliano’s book reminded me to keep watch. All the dull brown is turning to bright green, and I get to see that magic happen.

#juliefogliano

#erinstead

Chatting With Peter's Mom

 I’ve been over it the last few weeks. 

We’re almost a year into this Covid-arrangement that I never agreed to, and I’m over “silver-lining” things. 

We’ve done the puzzles and the playground. We’ve done the art projects and legos and the spontaneous adventures. I’ve bootstrapped as many days as I can and I am spent. 

It’s cold. It rained for 800 days. I’m probably vitamin D deficient. My endorphins from running in the freezing cold aren’t holding me over anymore.

So, now, we’re on to the watching-Mickey-Mouse-Clubhouse-cuddled-under-the-blankets phase. We’re on to the mommy-reading-her-phone-while-the-kids-eat-cookies-in-the-pantry phase. We’re on to the creating-errands-to-run-so-they’re-buckled-in-the-car phase.

I wish I felt as nonchalant about it as I’m letting on, but I’m feeling both uninspired and super guilty about it. I need to be grateful, I need to present, I need to put on some pants that actually have zippers and pockets.

This week Beckett and I read The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats. Peter, this iconic little boy that ventures into the beautiful snowy city in his red snowsuit. Peter, the first-ever black protagonist in a picture book, reminded me of something I needed this week. 

I NEED TO SIT AND CHAT WITH PETER’S MOM.

And, if I could, we would complain and laugh and compare notes about our wonderful, precious, hilarious, incorrigible children that just can’t seem help themselves:

• I wish mine could just entertain himself like that. Look at Peter making tracks. My kid would have been back inside five times already...

• Uh oh, he wants to snowball fight with those big kids. I can just see him thinking about it… You’re right, he’ll be fine.

• Should we go get eyes on them or do you think they’re okay? No? Cool.

• Oh my God, he brought a snowball in the house. No he did not.

So, I guess the antidote I need is some connection here. We’re not supposed to do this parenting thing in a bubble. 

But I can’t be the only one feeling stuck in mediocre parenting. 

I can’t be the only one feeling uninspired. 

I can’t be the only mom wondering if the kids will be alright if we just let them explore by themselves like Peter a little bit in the snow.

#thesnowyday

#ezrajackkeats