Pictures

I just thought I'd pop in tonight and share a few pictures I happened upon this evening, which I particularly enjoy.  Random pictures, hanging out in a folder labeled, interestingly enough, "Pictures".  While waiting for these two to upload I took a trip through the rest of that folder, and then about 10 more, from years ago, from parts of our lives I haven't thought of in years.  Tiny-Jack pictures, Bedford house pictures, wedding pictures, Winnipeg.

I am struck again by the abundance in our lives.

Our girl is on the mend, as evidenced by the sparkle that was back in her eye tonight.  So sparkly, in fact, that instead of heading to bed at 7:30, our little girl was dancing in circles around us, clad in a diaper and socks, yelling "Nakey!" and occasionally launching herself into our arms.  This was precipitated by one our timed lights clicking off, wherein Ivy sat up straight, looked around, declared "Nance!"  (aka "dance") and began to disrobe.

The girl is apparently conditioned to take her clothes off and dance when the lights go off.

Nat noted this is going to be a lot of fun when she is 16.

Regardless, its nice to have Miss Sparkle back.  Here's hoping she'll sleep tonight, too.


As Ivy was "nancing", all "Nakey", "roun'" us, Nat and I were engaged alternately in playing game after game of War with the boy.  He learned how to play War in preschool right before break and is now completely obsessed.  He's pretty proficient with knowing at a glance which card wins, only slight confusion with 6 and 9, and he's ready to flip that next card with enthusiasm-- '1,2, 3, FLIP!!!'-- which is instantly dampened the moment he loses more than 3 turns in a row.  Should he lose a "war", the sobs begin.  And yet, through the tears, he gamely plays on, tearfully says, "congratulations" to the winner. and begs and begs and begs to play another round as soon as we finish.  He is driven to win, this one, and doesn't quite know how to handle the disappointment when he doesn't-- nor can he hide his ebullience when he wins.  "Better luck next time!!!!" he chants sing-song as he bounces with joy.  He's too cute and though I shouldn't laugh when my son is crying-- I do, just a little.  He's so "4"-- and so "me", too-- but with enough edge and enough pluck that I am hoping he'll avoid the full extent of my crippling perfectionism.  Now, to help him understand that winning isn't everything and that its all about how you play the game....

(yeah, right.  how many adults really believe that one???)

Parenting is remarkable.  Who knew a little card game could uncover so many decisions and opportunities to say or do the right or wrong thing, to encourage or discourage, to teach and to question what we teach....   Every day, it seems, this remarkable boy unfolds a whole new set of questions for us.  Never simple, but so rich.  Snuggling in with him, talking about his day, sorting out his favorite and "un-favorite" parts of his day, listening and learning from him...Love that boy.