We cleaned and sorted out your room yesterday. Sharpened every pencil in your craft box and put all your favorite things together. I made you a 'play pretend' box with all your dress up things, a separate space for your transport toys, your 'Mister Maker' toys, your papers, your blocks, your train sets. It's so neat in your room right now that I just want to be, work and sleep in there all day. You helped and really got involved, which made my mommy heart quite proud. We had a delicious lunch of roast chicken, butternut with danish feta, mielies with parmesan and cauliflower with cheese sauce. You ate it allll up. Later we went to the forest for a walk and a play. You climbed trees, collected rocks, swung sticks at each other and played hide and seek in the bushes. We stopped for ice cream cones on the way home which you really loved because you got a flake in it for the first time. We got ready for bed, mommy made popcorn and fruit juice then we watched a movie about outer space in the lounge. You fell asleep right before the good part, right there on the couch. I carried you off to bed and kissed your balmy foreheads as you slept soundly through the night.
The past few months have been unorganized and unpredictable with holidays, traveling, a new nanny, new teachers, new classes, going back to school and visitors. I could see that you guys were struggling with all the changes and you weren't yourselves. Benjamin when you feel out of sorts, you retract and go in to clown mode and just act silly about everything and pull a lot of funny faces. Noah you don't know how to vocalize confusion, so you tend to say that you're hungry but you're actually not. You just want some attention and routine - it's SO good for you and you really rely on routine. These past few days I've watched you guys relax back in to your personalities and your confidence come charging back. Noah you're back to being bossy instead of whiny and Benjamin you're chatting up a storm and making all your usual demands. You're sleeping. You're playing. I can't keep up with your appetites and this morning I got a full list of things that need to be done: Tissues for school, batteries for your toys, batteries for your torches, mountain juice and Noah you decided that you need a hair cut.
The Raising Men Home is back in production and my big stars are leading the way. Whenever I worry that I've really messed you guys up for good this time - you come running back and clutch at my hands to drag me along on the next big little adventure. I love you so much, and as always - super grateful to share your lives with mine. I love you like all the biggest dinosaurs and all the moons and mountains in the world. Ten times everything you say. I love you.
