Peach Picking

Good memories can be medicine for hard times.  So we try to keep traditions that bring back good memories.  Peach-picking is one thing we did for the past three summers, so we know that they remember the farm - the same one we visit every summer.  And each year it's a different experience for everyone.  This year, they walked and picked their own peaches (well, pretty much picked their own peaches), played in the same familiar playground, and splashed water in the same outdoor faucet.  Daddy loved doing these outdoor type things, which I must take credit for discovering the place and came up with the idea that we should visit every summer.  Big handsome daddy is good at recreating good memories.  I guess I just have to keep discovering fun places to go.

Hope you are doing well and enjoying the summer.

JW

Fresh Air and Greens

We took off to the country early this morning, throwing into the bag just barely what we needed.  It must be the weather, or Artimus and Ethan really grew up to be more pleasant by the day.  We had a calm and easy ride up to the house we were invited to ... by Ethan's admirer.  Good looks do help, even at age 4.  I couldn't believe my eyes as I saw him acting like a man with a girlfriend.  He drove this pink barbie jeep with just one arm, and his "girlfriend" insisted on being the passenger.  They even sat by themselves under an apple tree, just chating and laughing away.  By night, Ethan wanted to sleep with her, who sleeps with her sister and mom in one big bed.  I allowed it, knowing that he'll crawl back to my bed at some point in the night.  Well, he couldn't fall asleep at all ... ah, what a surprise!  In my arms, he fell asleep like a baby. In fact, both Artimus and Ethan were dead asleep by the time they fell asleep.  They had so much fun, they went to bed very happy.  Perhaps, that's what they needed - friendship and lots of fun things to do in wide open spaces.  We were also in great company - a relaxed couple with beautiful girls.

The fresh air is giving me therapy from the busy rush that define most of my days.  Ethan and Artimus are also such pleasant and fun children to spend time with.  I am so happy today just spending time with them, watching them run about happily just being kids.  It's also relaxing to share with friends I really like.  JK is not here with us.  This is the first trip with the kids by myself.  It's not so bad.  In fact, it's great!

Separation Anxiety

Finally, I got a business trip that gave me a legitimate reason to be away from the kids.  This means a lot - sleep and rest are among the most craved.  But I ended up not getting much of both by most standards.  It's a real working trip and I am up late doing work, and only squeezing in dinner with a colleague if time permitted.  I feel good on the one hand, and lonely on the other.  I miss these little creatures.  Their everyday little troubles and joys filled my life after work, and these troubles gave me giggles.  Ethan's latest anguish is Alex, his friend since two, doesn't play with him sometimes and told him he was not invited to the birthday party.  Ethan claimed Alex' words hurt his feelings, and Alex "is not his friend anymore." Then Ethan turned around and told Artimus that she was a bad girl because she wanted to wash his hair and he didn't like that.  What happened next? Artimus came crying to me, "He hurt my feelings.  I want Ethan to say sorry to me."  Sounds familiar?  I guess we adults behave the same way, but with more sophisticated words and style.  I miss these little creatures - they love so fully, with so much purity and raw feelings.  Who could deny love?  When I called them tonight, which is the 3rd night since I have been away, they were busy telling me what they were doing (playing race cars or something).  They did not even ask when I'll be back!  It looks like they could live without me ... at least for a few days. 

On another note, last weekend we were at Sesame Place.  It was great!  Who could resist water splashing all over you on a hot summer day?  Oh, Daddy got me to go on the roller coaster ride with Artimus, because she was of the right height this year.  Smarty Ethan insisted that he wanted to sit next to Daddy, who he thinks could "protect" him.  This was a kiddy amusement park, with a kiddy roller coaster.  But I tell ya, I thought I was going to fall out of that seat, with my little Artimus flying out into space with me.  Needless to say, I lost my voice.  NEVER AGAIN!

I miss them.  Can't wait for them to sneak into my bed in the middle of the night when I get back.  Feeling their little bodies next to mine makes me feel ... love.

JW