Oh, but I love it all so much! And I look forward to the next set of minutes and the one after. Is it because I'm so often away that I remain so excited about, say, a regular old Monday?
On this regular old Monday, I am up with the sun, which is always a grand way to begin the day.
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And we have breakfast in the sun room...
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And then Snowdrop arrives (because it is Monday).
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Just a few morning photos with her: reading her favorite farmhouse book...
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Dancing (yes we are, even though it may not seem like it!)...
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Exploring her environment for the nth time, but of course, each time everything is a little different...
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When the sun is at its highest, I suggest a run on the sled. She's not to keen on the idea. I can almost hear her saying it -- why can't we just play in the farmhouse? And me answering: because it's beautiful outside and you can glide over the snow and maybe we can even build a snowman!
We do glide and though I'm sure you're laughing at this small imitation of a snowman, well, you have to start somewhere!
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But all the while, I can hear it in her babbles -- can we go home now? Can we?
And I wonder about why she wouldn't instantly fall in love with sledding and of course, it's not too hard to guess that the novelty of it all is a bit overwhelming. This girl is so tall and toddler-like in so many of her behaviors that one forgets she is just ten and a half months old. Sledding has not been part of our routine. But it will be!
I remember how eating elicited once a big grimace. And now:
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Too, surely grandpa Ed took some getting used to. (That was a while back!)
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So in the afternoon, we try again with the sled and the snowman and we'll try many times in the months ahead. Coveted routines are ones you learn to love. Over time.
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(What brings out the smile is a visit with the cheepers, who leave the shelter of the barn for a few paces, enjoying the sunshine, the cleared path and a few bits of stale bread.)
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And of course, if you venture out into the strange (one hopes one day thrilling) world of sledding, the return home to the farmhouse is that much sweeter.
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Grand routines, lovely days. Such really lovely days.