Letting Go and Lying Down

I love the thaw. These warm temperatures just boost spirits for everyone. I decided yesterday that we would walk and pick up the boys from school. As we were leaving, Grant-my 8-year old asks if he can walk home by himself the long way. I said yes. I think it's important that kids are able to establish a sense of independence and self-reliance. And then I thought to myself, "Well, the long way is long, and what about the creeps." Even though "The Creeps" probably in a million years wouldn't be trolling the 2 blocks from the school to my house, the fact that "The Creeps" exist started to get me a little nervous. So I met him 1/2 a block later.

"How was your day?" I asked. "Great, until you showed up." He said. Amazing the drama and doom and gloom an 8-year old can muster. So now that I ruined Grant's day, we headed home.

Spencer and I went right inside and Grant and Mia stayed outside to play. The snow was really getting good and melt-y. Perfect for snowballing, as I could hear Mia screaming from Grant's snowball attacks. It sounded like Grant's day was improving.

I came out a few minutes later and the two of them had built a snowman. Kind of. The snow was so wet and heavy that Grant's little 8-year old arms were not strong enough to lift the "body" ball of snow on top of the "bottom." Nor could they lift the snowman's head. So, they rolled one right next to each other and finished it off with acorn eyes and mouth and my hat and scarf. The brand new ones I got for Christmas from my inlaws.

I have noticed with my time off that it's amazing. I am learning more and more from my children everyday and how they see and navigate their day: When life gets tough (or the snow too heavy), you don't have to "take" it lying down, just "make" it lying down.