Of the paperwork items, we updated Ai's passport. I prepped him on having lips closed for the photo and showing no smile at all. Afterward, he commented very seriously: Mom, I knew how to do that. I knew how to look sad, because I feel sad most of the time. Before I had time to respond or feel terrible, he turned and hopped on his bike and started giggling with his sisters. Comments I've heard describe me as a child - one minute so smiley and happy, the next minute crashed-and-burned - could be good descriptors of Ai, too. He certainly moves quickly between emotions, often taking us along with him! Such a loveable little sad face . . .
We spent less time than hoped at wading pools and splash pads with a few school friends throughout the rest of the summer. Often, Ai was the only boy in the mix which led to a few conversations like this one (I can't recall the rest at this point):
<Ai cuddled up in a wet towel on my lap, looking at the girls playing with friends in the pool>
"Mommy, why did you adopt girls?
Well, we were wanting to start a family. We visited the adoption agency to meet with the adoption workers who help place babies needing families with families' wanting babies. We waited a little while and then got a phone call about A. We were so happy! Then when you were seven months old, we got a call from the adoption agency about your little sister needing a home.
"Do you think that was a good idea?" (said with skeptical voice)
Well, yes . . . we did!
<Before I could say more, wondering what he's really getting at, he interrupted me>
"I think you should have adopted some boys. Then I wouldn't be alone."
And so it goes. You try to do what you can to make your kids happy, but you can only do what you can. Next time we went, I made sure to bring along his buddy, Salem!
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We enjoyed a visit from S's buddy, Peter. Or "Pee-tah, " since he's from England. Serving with CPT (Christian Peacmaker Teams), living in Toronto, S has spent a good bit of time getting to know Peter over the past two years. Whenever he has work trips to Toronto, he'll crash in at the CPT house. Back in June, he was there for three weeks, so it's been a treat for them to develop a friendship. It was nice for me to get to know him beyond Facebook when he spent the day with us. The kids couldn't get enough of him as he's super fun and funny. It was pretty cute having A respond to his accent with one of her own throughout the day. He even condescended to visit the zoo with us . . .
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Realizing that strawberry season had passed while I had all my company, I quickly made sure to find some raspberries. The kids and I drove up to Lockport, north of Winnipeg, to try our hand at picking some. I discovered, too late, that they only took cash. :( With only enough to pick an ice cream pail, we turned our little outing into a reason to explore the area. We took in the dam and were impressed to discover this area is one of the major gathering points of pelicans in North America. You can't see it from my photo, though . . .
We then made a pit-stop at Canada's longest running hotdog stand: Skinner's. It's not quite as glam as it may have been back in the 30s if the paintings inside are accurate:
versus:
The kids didn't care, as we opted for ice cream and then Ai discovered the arcade room, where the dance hall used to be. It's not quite as happening a place as it must have been at one time, but at least we can say we've been there. :)
After ten minutes, the kids were getting antsy. Worried they might start to behave in a manner disrespectful of our environment, we continued on home with hopes that one day I might get to come back . . . alone. It's likely not a place S wants to head for if we get a rare date without kids!
The kids and I did manage to go back for raspberries and some Saskatoon berries the following week with our friend, Rathy. Too busy sweating under the sun, I forgot to take photos except these hasty two of Ai hiding in the van afraid the berry farmer would get upset with him for clearly eating more than he'd help pick!
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A had the treat of attending four days of 'camp' during the first week of August at the Winnipeg Art Gallery. We were fortunate one of S's colleague's daughter attended the same week, so A didn't feel overly shy.
She had a wonderful time and frankly, I enjoyed just having the younger two home in terms of workload. The thing about having three close in age is that they can all play wonderfully well, but often if A is about, she is the drawing card. She either plays with Iz or with A, but with one left out, I'm required to do more conflict resolution that I'd prefer. Time and energy didn't allow for that forth child, so I just enjoy the moments when I have one safely happy somewhere and two happy around me (or even better, not around me . . . up in their bedrooms!). :)
It was interesting to hear what A's favourite drawings from the 100 Masters Gallery were - and to find reproductions of them for a while around the house!
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| Michiel Swerts "Self Portrait With Skull" - 1661 |
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| Lawren Harris "Icebergs, Davis Strait" - 1930 |
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| Claude Tousignant "Gong 80" - 1966 |
I suppose finding replications of "Gong 80" are a step up from some of her other doodles and creations, such as this one:
2 comments:
Nice fortunes.. would not want to be cut in 3 sections?! A must be reading the "Horrible Histories" series... :) Susan
Oh no, I'll have to keep her away from "Horrible Histories" if it will give her more inspiration! I think she was trying to spell out that you will "die in three seconds." I suppose that's a little nicer than in three sections!
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