Playing at Parks

Playing at Parks




Michael and I have been enjoying the sunny days at local parks this week.  We have amused ourselves with running through grass, stomping in leftover puddles, and exploring playground equipment.  Always we have found time to breathe in and out and slow our minds and enjoy where we are.

Michael was so excited to find this airplane  to ride on and he climbed right up.  He asked me to join him on the back of it but it was a little too tight.  So he rode solo while I listened to him make airplane noises.

He stood beneath the jungle gym and looked up at all the twists and turns of the ropes.  He wouldn't climb on it but was really amazed at the structure.  Look at his face here:

He was filled with excitement as he climbed through the green tunnels.  He couldn't wait to pop out of the end and roar!  He is getting much stronger.

 Here he is looking at a giant puddle.  He looked at it for a long while.  Then he turned and looked at me.  I nodded and he stomped right through it!  I knew just what he had wanted.  Then we sat down and tossed pebbles into it and counted the rings.

He spotted the small hill and after pointing, rushed up and then...

down with his hands flapping!  He truly knows how to live in the moment.

Every so often he would pick up his helicopter fan and make it blow onto his face.  He would grin and giggle and then run off to find another area to explore.

The next day Michael rode his bike while I walked beside him.  We made it to the park where the really big sandbox is now located.  He loves to bring his pail and shovel and just fill the pail full.

He sat for a long while scooping and pouring into his bucket.  He hummed a bit as he worked.  The sun was warm and beautiful and we both sat in the quiet of the day, just being where we were.

Some kids hopped off the playground and Michael made his way over to where they had been.  He circled about this climbing part and then decided to give it a try.  He is usually very timid but he went right up for a few good steps.  I think his balance is improving as his legs get stronger.  Bike riding and the stairs on the playground structures have really helped him with stamina and strength.

                                   Then he finished his day back in the sandbox filling his bucket again.

 A young boy came and sat down with him.  Michael introduced himself.  They both sat scooping and pouring side by side.  The mother of the boy told me she was thinking of homeschooling her son.  We think about that too.  I want him to experience and enjoy and live the moments that we create.  Every step in our path is a moment to count, to savor, to really find peace in our lives.

When Pirates Came To Town

We traveled on a Sunday drive to Lake Champlain Maritime Museum to partake in the pirate gathering there on the shores of our beautiful lake.

 Michael was primed with his sword and hat and ready to fight off any  bad pirates that might be about.  The joy of anticipation so apparent on his face while we took the curves and bends of the rural roads.

Guess who came along?   Michael's sweet "Eleanora.

 

 

 

They jumped right out and played pirate games and crafts.

 

Michael and his Dad on the way to see the pirate ship battle.

The bad pirate ship heading in with canon's firing.

                                          Michael on the  Philadelphia looking out at the pirate ship.

            Down by the lake Nora eagerly climbed into the roots of a Cedar Tree.  The roots were exposed due to the flooding last year.  They were great fun to climb on and Nora had a grand time exploring amid the life of the tree.  The tree still had leaves that were green and seemed to be surviving.

Here is Nora climbing aboard the Gunboat Philadelphia ship. She told them she was a good sailor and raced too.

Back on shore they listened to stories read by pirates, they searched for clues to find the treasure chest with booty, and made treasure boxes.

Nora is here getting in on the fun as a real pirate!  

                    Here the kids are waiting for balloons  Nora had a pink sword made which was lost during the battle of the pirate ships, and Michael requested a blue dog.

 We took a rest in the shade and watched jugglers perform.  A family troupe that was quite good.

Dad was picked to help hold the tight rope while the juggler juggled flames. 

Here is the gunboat Philadelphia the pirates were coming to attack.  Michael was on shore with his sword pointing to the ship, and shouting to the pirates.  "You'll never get it!"

Nora found Michael amusing and had so many smiles.

    The pirate ship here just fired their cannon but started to get scared.  All the pirates, mostly kids, shook their swords and finally the pirates lowered their flag.  They were brought to shore and chained and taken away.

 Michael and Nora solved the treasure hunt and found their loot.  They came away with chocolate coins, necklaces, and eye patches.

. Together we made our way to our car after such an exciting day. We ate, drank and talked, some squealed... about the excitement we shared.  We wound our way back to normalcy through bites of Pirate Booty and the twists and turns of the roads.

  It was peaceful and comfortable and I hated to see Chittenden County come into our view.  We had such a wonderful day. 

 

 We look forward to many more days of happiness with these two along on our travels through the summer.
Michael is now really into pirates and can't wait for his Muppet Treasure Island/Pirate birthday party this August.  And I think if I am honest, Nora and I are just as excited.

Throwing Rocks

Throwing rocks is so cathartic.
 Actually the whole process of selecting just the right rock from the thousands on the shore brings about a  great  release.  Release from the tensions created in the day, the stress of another anxiety, the sadness that can wrap its self around me like a shawl.  Yes, that first touch sparks off a sensation of freeing me from my withdrawals and catch me living right in the moment.

 Once you've found the rock, then the lifting back and releasing it into the air can bring joy.  The joyful beginnings of a smile, that tickle of childhood prickling and spreading through the body.

 Finally watching it disappear into the blueness, the ringed delight of a good thwack sound against the water, brings a peculiar satisfied sensation.  The sound echoes back, a calling from a yesterday voice, "Oh yes I have done this before!"

We seek out just the right smooth rock to hold in our palms.  We turn them over and discover shape, texture, color, and weight.  This one makes big thwacks, this one slips under with almost no noise at all. 

Maybe it all brings me closer to living like the children.  For it is indeed living in the moment,  this throwing rocks by the water's edge.  I am one of the kids, in touch with the actual day, not worrying or filled with useless stress.  

   And we are there, watching boats cut into the water, making ripples come almost to our toes, almost.     And there is laughter, thought, and moments shared in peace. 

So I take the kids back to Button Bay in search of the ever elusive Button Rocks and some good thwacking of rocks into the lake.

  Nora comes with us and is delighted when we find six of them or so.  I slip them all into her bag so she can make a necklace like I used to with those special rocks. 

Michael decides that all the rocks are beautiful and piles one after the other into his small bag.  Small bags are essential when there is so much to choose from and it is impossible to take all. 

We spend the moments throwing, exploring, discovering, and laughing.




























 I try to scoop up these moments like the inevitable sand that will filter into my car, and the rocks, and driftwood that we pack.

 I want the treasured time to sustain me when sadness can so easily cling to my days.


 I want these moments to be ever hard to wipe away like the traces of our days here left in the car.

 I want to take them out and remember the peace we found.


  I want to remember how throwing rocks can be just so cathartic.

Contagious Joy

Contagious Joy


There is such joy when watching Michael explore his surroundings.  He really knows how to live in the moment.  I took him to the school playground just before sunset and let him roam.  Everyday he shows me just how to really live and today was no exception.  He really showed me true joy with his whole being.


Right away he headed for the field then abruptly stopped.  He stood there for a moment and then began spinning.  I wondered what imaginings he was spinning in his own head as he twirled about.

 Satisfied with some thought he headed over to a bench and climbed right up on it.












He put his arms under his head and grinned at me.  He lay for a time and I watched his contentment.  I thought of all the anxiety that often finds its way into my mind and I wished to achieve Michael's peace.         He is not looking at tomorrow but at right where he is.  He loves being four, in fact he never wants to be anything else as he tells me often. He trusts all and enjoys his days.

After a while he ran over to the tube so he could send me a message.  I snapped his picture and then went to the other pipe on the other side of the playground and listened to his ramblings.  He giggled and sang to me.  I sang back.









He decided to climb up the ladder but only got a little ways before opting for a different route up to the top of the playground.  

He grinned at me from on the bridge, after his trip-trapping like a billy goat.  He found me watching his antics and smiled.  He wears his love right on his face, it is so beautiful.  He has such contagious joy that spreads so fast to all who encounters him.


On the way home we passed this window and he read, "Library" on the very top.  When he peeked inside his eyes got wide and he said, "Look at those books."  I told him Andy went here and read those books.        "Did Andy read all of them?"  He asked.  "Probably."  I said.

After a satisfied scan of the books he said, "Maybe I will."  And then pedaled off with me beside him.

 

My children teach me so many things every day.  I strive to nurture and grow their love of life and discoveries.  Every day they nurture and grow my own love and it is a wonderful gift I cherish.   To live with joy brings extraordinary to what some may see as just ordinary.  And it is good.