This isn't really a warm month here. We can expect a blast of Arctic air still (Tuesday!). Maybe a storm will pass this way again -- we've not skied enough this year!
And yet, when the sun comes out and when we climb toward the freezing point, my mind shifts. We are no longer in the thick of winter. We're heading out! Onward, toward the next three seasons -- the warmer ones, where Ed and I spend many hours working outdoors.
At least that's my thought process.
It's not a day of great contemplation or much Ocean text. Yes, there was breakfast.
And yes, there were the long shadows on the patches of icy snow that affirmed the sunniness of the the morning hours. But I was in a bit of a rush. Shopping for groceries was slightly at a higher level of care as I have a bigger meal to prepare this weekend. Too, Snowdrop was with us at the farmhouse until her bedtime and so my attention shifted immediately from restocking the fridge to looking after (chasing after?) the little one.
Yes, a book about penguins, Snowdrop! Many many penguins!
All that running makes a girl thirsty!
It's warm enough for us to go out for a walk and I head with her toward the cafe again. I'm afraid I'd rather fallen in love with this winter destination. Yes, Snowdrop likes a crumb of the treat I pick up for Ed, but here she demonstrates that her true love is not for a sugared morsel, but for the children of this world. Once she spotted the boy, she could not take her eyes off of him.
Eventually she nibbled on a blackberry and smiled at anyone who sent a smile her way.
In the evening, at the farmhouse, I gave her bangs a trim. After, she studied the (wooden) passengers and suitcases boarding a plane. Snowdrop has some trips ahead of her this spring and I thought this might be one way of introducing her to the idea of airplanes.
As I gave her a light supper of baked potato (with parmiggiano reggiano!) and cooked carrots and strawberries (she loves all three), I thought about how much she has leaped beyond her baby meals. Is there any adult food that the girl has not tried and liked?
The little one returns home and I have to admit -- I'm as ready for bedtime as she is. I used to laugh at my grandma for going to sleep soon after sunset. Go ahead, Snowdrop: your turn to laugh!
And yet, when the sun comes out and when we climb toward the freezing point, my mind shifts. We are no longer in the thick of winter. We're heading out! Onward, toward the next three seasons -- the warmer ones, where Ed and I spend many hours working outdoors.
At least that's my thought process.
It's not a day of great contemplation or much Ocean text. Yes, there was breakfast.
And yes, there were the long shadows on the patches of icy snow that affirmed the sunniness of the the morning hours. But I was in a bit of a rush. Shopping for groceries was slightly at a higher level of care as I have a bigger meal to prepare this weekend. Too, Snowdrop was with us at the farmhouse until her bedtime and so my attention shifted immediately from restocking the fridge to looking after (chasing after?) the little one.
Yes, a book about penguins, Snowdrop! Many many penguins!
All that running makes a girl thirsty!
It's warm enough for us to go out for a walk and I head with her toward the cafe again. I'm afraid I'd rather fallen in love with this winter destination. Yes, Snowdrop likes a crumb of the treat I pick up for Ed, but here she demonstrates that her true love is not for a sugared morsel, but for the children of this world. Once she spotted the boy, she could not take her eyes off of him.
Eventually she nibbled on a blackberry and smiled at anyone who sent a smile her way.
In the evening, at the farmhouse, I gave her bangs a trim. After, she studied the (wooden) passengers and suitcases boarding a plane. Snowdrop has some trips ahead of her this spring and I thought this might be one way of introducing her to the idea of airplanes.
As I gave her a light supper of baked potato (with parmiggiano reggiano!) and cooked carrots and strawberries (she loves all three), I thought about how much she has leaped beyond her baby meals. Is there any adult food that the girl has not tried and liked?
The little one returns home and I have to admit -- I'm as ready for bedtime as she is. I used to laugh at my grandma for going to sleep soon after sunset. Go ahead, Snowdrop: your turn to laugh!
Fascinating to see that Snowdrop can balance well enough to squat while studying the passengers. And fascinating to see that a one-year old can connect 2-D pictures of penguins with her toy penguin, can connect rather abstract block-people with real people. The comment yesterday about the study of little kids' jokes was really cool! All in all, amazing how they change almost daily!
ReplyDeleteWe last saw our Cadence when we all went to the beach house in mid-January. Next weekend we will go to their house to stay for the lovely long weekend. And even though tomorrow I will watch the Sunday morning programs, and though I will spend quite some time getting ready for school and parent conferences, and though we will host a Super Bowl party :) all I REALLY care about RIGHT NOW is counting down the days until we spend some low-key, golden time with our little one and her parents.
ReplyDeleteYour world, your priorities, shrink down to this, the essence of life....all right all right, I may be having a nice pinot noir right now.
But I want you to understand my affection for your daily Snowdrop chronicles. Enjoy, Nana Nina!!
PS She's a cutie with her little Dutch Girl bangs. Do you have to ask Mom's permission? Just wondering! because I wouldn't DARE. Mary and I love each other so, but Mary rules in all things Cadence. That's the kind of Grandmother I have decided to be. :)
Oh my goodness, I absolutely ask if mom wants anything done with the hair. In fact, I would not have given Snowdrop bangs initially -- I would have just used clips, but mom finds this more practical and easy to handle. She's right and I've learned to love it as well!
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