Sundown

Declan kept asking (begging) to go to the park today. Really wasn't feeling it but just can't say no to letting him play (he's 4 1/2, it's just mean to say no). About 4:40pm we finally head out. Thanks to the recent time change it is already getting dark. We had enough time for slides, the bouncy bugs, the swings, the teeder/todder and then again on some slides. Was great to see that Declan is more confident on the play structure and even climbed a short ladder. He asked me to count down before he would go down the curly slide which of course I did. One last time down the red curly slide and Declan yells "weeeee" then at the bottom he stands up, walks over to me and standing extremely close says. "It's getting spooky. There might be a ghost here." And it was time to go. The sun had set and it was getting darker. Almost 5:30pm and a perfect time to head home. Thank you active 4 1/2 year old imagination.

Stop With The Stickers

Me when I got home today: "So what happened?"

Declan: "I was walking and the wind got me. It pushed me really hard at the back and then I tripped and I fell into the climbing bars."

Me: "The wind blew you into the play structure?"

Declan: "Ya."

And yet another day of Declan coming home with a 'Watch for concussion symptoms' sticker on him.

In His Life

It is difficult to comprehend how this little person, this kid who used to be so dependent and who couldn't even crawl is now out in the world. Our days go by, me at work and Declan at school and they don't concert. His whole day independent of mine. Then this evening we talk about his day. 

He tried some new yogurt tubes I bought him in his lunch. I asked if he had any trouble opening it. He told me Mrs. Wigood helped him open it. Then he told me he spilt a little and Mrs. S helped him clean it up. 

I also hear about Mrs. Ritu (YMCA) and Ms. Sima (YMCA), Ms. Maryam (Student teacher), Mrs. Aryoso and Ms. Lavender. He even refers to the Principal (Mr. Hamilton) and Vice Principal (Mr. Chaisson) by name. Declan even talks with the Head Custodian, Mrs. H.

So many different people that are a part of his day, his world. It is still hard to comprehend it.

Drawings

Monday evening after Declan is already in  bed Daddy looks at pictures Declan had drawn at school and brought home. There were two different drawings of a stick figure and the figure had a frown. Usually all of Declan's faces are smiling.

Declan was in bed so we couldn't ask him about it.

Tuesday morning I bring Declan his breakfast and I'm carrying one of the pictures. He asked me why I had it. I told him I saw he'd brought the drawing home and I wondered why he looked sad. Declan told me the stick guy was sad "Because he doesn't have his Mommy."

I then asked who the stick guy was and he said "it's me."

I said but why would you not have me? And Declan said "it was just a dream." Then he turned the paper over and said "look there's raindrops." So I guess we're moving on then?

Now to this morning where I inquire about a new picture with two stick figures. One had a square head and a weird mouth. The other has a sort of smile. I asked about the picture and Declan told me the one with the square head was worried. "Worried?" I asked. Declan said yes "he's worried the other guy is gonna puke."

Funny.

School Germs are the Worst

Poor Declan has had a terrible cough now for over a week. Add to that on Sunday and then again today he's got a rash on his middle. Doesn't appear to bother him but I hate that he has it. Poor guy. No way he was staying home from school today though. Finally it was his day - he was the Super Student. Declan had to wear a special badge, he took the attendance to the office, he was the line leader among other "special" things. He also brought in his "Y" items for the letter board: Yarn, Yak, Yellow and Yawn. 

Now if he could just get better. 

Just the Best

Poor kid still has a nasty cough. He wasn't feverish so he went to school but felt lousy by end of day. While Daddy was getting him dinner Declan "puked". Just a rough go. I got home just as Daddy was reading him his bedtime story. Declan asked me to lay down beside him while Daddy read. Cute little guy wraps his hand around my wrist. When I kissed him goodnight I told him I'd be checking in on him during the night. He said "remember to wake me up so I can tell you more about my day." Which I did not because sickie needs his sleep.

The Cold

So a cold has officially taken hold on the Muffin Man. First signs he wasn't 100% came through the weekend. Yesterday and today he's got a nasty cough again and barely eats. Poor kid. He's a trooper though and still wants to go to school. On our walk there this morning we were collecting leaves. Close to school and with a good handful of Maple leaves Declan leaned into me and put his arm around my leg. 

He says: "I love leaf hunting with you."

That is the proof. What really matters is the quality of time. Enjoy the mundane simple moments like just walking to school. There's a lot of joy to be had in everything.