If I could bottle such days and replay them when ever and where ever I please I would bottle last Saturday. Pyjama day till noon, an enthusiastic trip to the library (proof I have a house full of lit lovers), toboggan rides in a warm sun on a slick hill and then the icing on the cake… a nap in the park!
We spent a delicious morning at the public library. The older three kids now have their own cards so there was a great pile of books, graphic novels and movies brought to the check out counter. The printed out receipt like list of dates due and items borrowed is a blessing at such a time as this. Between the four card holders and all our items I was worried I would never remember all the items we had borrowed when it came time to return them.
We had not left home till filling our bellies with lunch so we rushed home in time to leave our books, pick up our dog and head to the sliding hill. The sun was so warm it made us foolishly feel like spring was arriving (of course this would not be the case as this is the great white never ending winter north). Up and down the hill the children went. I gave them mighty pushes but otherwise stayed with Riddick at the top. He tends to get hysterical on sled rides and nips at anyone near by… At some point my four year old decided he wasn’t interested in even one more trip up the hill… he abandoned ship and started off toward the snow covered jungle gym set.
My oldest has a long pink parka that is of such a slippery material that she can slide rather fast down the hill on her belly, just like a chubby little penguin, so off she went after him. We all followed soon after when we realised he was not going to turn back. Usually I would try to talk him out of jungle gym time as it seems almost a waste in the middle of winter, they can hardly move in all their gear and half the set is buried. That day, however, I was also in no hurry to head home.
Taking advantage of all four kids happy on the slides and swings I flopped down on the long blue slide we brought and took a half awake nap. Rarely do I really sense the city when I am out and about. Usually the over stimuli all around prevents any really TAKING IN of the moment, but stretching out and napping in public made it all slow right down to human speed. Riddick’s paws where cold so I invited my blue sweater clad fox terrier up onto my torso. He sat down and once he had given me the appropriate amount of kisses he gazed up at the sun, eyes squinty, and socked up as much of the lovely and rare winter warmth as he could.. as was I. I could hear those playing hockey behind me, on the neighbourhood rink, huffing and puffing, snapping the sticks against the ice and giggling as the puck found the net. A dad and his girls walked by and the sweet little toddlers pointed at Riddick and I and said ‘Funny.” Chickadees were in the neighbourhood and local dogs were jealously letting us know they were behind their fences. My crew was giggling and chatting about invented games they could organize and play together. Snow was crunching with that moist sticky sound and all was well with the world.
At some point my kids actually asked me if they could go home… Riddick and I uncurled ourselves and mumbled sleepy complaints as we meandered home again. Tea and cookies helped us perk up, for the rest of the day was still available to enjoy!
Always Lady Mac an Rothaich
TTFN
Well written Rebecca. I could just hear and see it all. These are the precious times to be held close in one’s memory and what better way to keep them than to write them up. Love you. MOM