Today was hot! Spring is coming on full-blast. It was one of my Fridays off from work and we spent some inventive time being crazy outside. Earlier in the day, Juliet had filled up the poorly-draining sink and Jonah had soaked the bathroom splashing in it. While I enjoy the delight of splashing and playing, I do not take delight in a soaked bathroom, so after Jonah "napped" we took the water outside in the little tub I used when Jonah was a newborn. The kids took turns standing in it and stomping while I cut out ladybugs from the glossy paper that our Trader Joe's flowers were wrapped in. Periodically, Juliet would come over and get them, and some tape, and use them to decorate various places in the yard, bushes, trees, and retaining walls. Then, the kids realized that wet ones stick to the car. Now our orange car has adorable ladybugs on it. Either Daddy will be quite surprised tomorrow, or they all will have blown away. Then Juliet made up races regarding climbing the tree that, conveniently enough, ended with Juliet, Mommy, and Jonah diplomatically winning one race each. We dipped our heads in the water, rolled around in the grass, and did airplanes. I love those wild, creative times outside.
The other day we played outside by hiding the Piping Plover toy and then having everyone else seek it. The rule was you had to make a lap to get a clue each time. We did a lot of laps!
Sometimes Juliet's sense of humor amuses me. In the winter (oh, it feels like so long ago!) we were coming back from a family snow walk. We had all walked out to KC's Alley and were heading back. I was holding Juliet's hand and she slipped. Then she asked me why I pushed her over. I was confused and thought that she might have thought that, since I was holding her hand, that I had made her lose her footing. Not long after that, I realized that she knew exactly what she was doing. While we weren't even holding hands, weren't even walking next to each other, she fell over in a snow bank. With a twinkle in her eye and a sparkle in her voice, she called out, "Mommy! Why do you keep pushing me over in to the snow?!" I cracked up. She followed me and did that periodically. I couldn't stop laughing. I imagine it probably sounded like a child was being mistreated. But, no, it was just an inside joke, one that caused hysterical laughing and smiles, and one that Juliet devised all on her own.
Another thing she devised happened at my parents' house. She got out tape and went outside and taped a leaf on to one of the toy cars. I believe she called it the car's sail. She started doing that to all the toys, and there were cars rolling around with leaves all over the place. Then Jonah went out to play with her, while I was sitting in the kitchen. He came back over to the door, to check in and say hi, and when he turned around, there were leaves taped to his shirt and pants. I guess he flew away then? Juliet, who was also fitted with sails, dubbed them "sail babies."
She also planted eucalyptus, babies breath, and anything else she could find, along the path in their back yard. Gmom knew about it. Grandpa was.... surprised.
I love the kids' tender affectionate moments the best. One day when I was with the kids, but Matt was not, Juliet said, wistfully, "don't you just miss him!" Another day we got home and Juliet had picked a dandelion for me and Jonah had picked one for Daddy. Then Juliet got a piece of construction paper and a pen and promptly started drawing at the table. She made me a card! It was like her love was overflowing so much that it burst out in little acts of love.
This morning, I heard Jonah in his crib hooting like an owl. I went to get him, and at regular intervals, he continued to hoot. I brought him downstairs and we peaked in to Daddy's studio to say hi. Daddy said, "Hi Jonah!" To which Jonah replied, "I'm not Jonah, I'm an owl!" Owls are a hit around here. Juliet got to sleep in a little later then usual since I was home. After she got up, she effused, "Mommy, what should we do with our beautiful day?!" What a nice way to start. Then when just she and I were upstairs, she kept giving me quick and unprovoked little hugs, grabbing a leg or legs while I was getting ready and smiling contentedly. The love seemed to be rushing out of her and it reminds me that time with my kids is really invaluable to them, filling up their little love tanks to last them all the time that I am away from them.
Two other things I want to remember. Juliet's gasp when she first saw a hill covered in dandelions gone to seed. And the name Juliet decided she was going to give her "little one" when she has one. It's Candleface. Yes, you heard that right. I can't wait.
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