Tonight on my evening walk/far-too-energetic-sprint-for-ten-minutes-before-bedtime Mommy got one of those really serious looks in her eyes.
I thought she might even cry.
And she squeezed my hand really tight.
I think she was having one of those "you're growing up too fast" moments.
Personally I couldn't possible learn, grow or run fast enough every day but I suppose I understand this type of thinking to mean that she loves me. I think she wishes she could really treasure and make the most of every moment we have together more.
As we did our new routine of plucking some beautiful flower petals, clutching them, and then letting them fall to the ground in delight I did glimpse a bit more clearly what she means.
Moments pass far to quickly.
Just a few years ago you were the little boy and she was the little girl gripped with the pleasure of warm summer pavement beneath toddling feet as you raised your chubby arms to salute the moon emerging in the darkening sky.
Maybe your Mommy gripped your little hand at a moment like that too.
When you were just a little child.
I guess it's good to make each moment count. Mommy was explaining that each day we should obey to make God happy. "Trust in Jesus", she said, "and make each day a step closer to heaven".
I'll keep learning what that means. And maybe I'll try a little less hard to grow so exponentially each day.
Apparently some people when they approach a big birthday milestone decide to celebrate more than just on the official date of birth. In fact, some celebrate the entire preceding week or even month!! ( Hey why not celebrate the entire preceding year if it would legitimize cake for breakfast every day!).
Mom is turning a really big number this year.
She will be officially OLD.
Bapa tried to soften the blow by giving Mommy a surprise every day this week.
We thought it was a great idea and when we realized he had covered the flowers and croissant bases already we tried to think outside the box and get a little creative.
I think we made for a memorable past couple of days leading up to the big event.
Here are some clues as to what we contrived together:
1. Many kisses - blown instead of traditionally delivered.
2. Extra naps.
3. Buckets strewn throughout the house.
4. Turns checking each others' heart beats.
5. Hydrating drinks.
6. Lots of stories.
7. Even more laundry.
8. And of course. LOTS of snuggles :)
I think overall it was a success! We are a little stumped as to what to do for the big day tomorrow - shall we contract Ebola perhaps?
Some people in life, generally adults I've found, embark on a particular means for the purpose of accomplishing some kind of ends. They say, "the ends justifies the means". I'm sure we could debate this issue to no end but I think all those people on both sides of the issue have really mis-framed it to begin with.
For me - the means is all that matters.
Stairs? (At the Train Museum or elsewhere) Who cares where they lead! The fun is in climbing and descending as many times as possible! Others can descend via the various slides. I'm more into the workout part.
Mandarin Oranges? I'm just interested in peeling as many as I can. Who cares about eating the inside...
Doors? Supposedly many open them merely to pass into a room or enter or exit a building... I prefer to just open and close them.
Laundry? This is where my point becomes most crystal clear. Pulling them out of the drawer is way more fun than choosing an outfit or re-folding.
I hope this brings many heated disputes to a nice amicable end.
I've heard some people talk about Disney Land being the vacation of a lifetime. Others have referenced an island called Hawaii...
Personally, our trip to the Choo-Choo Museum by train blows all other options out of the water.
Where do I even begin?
I'm still a little in shock that I actually rode in that thunderous, clapping inducing, heretofore spectacle-heralded-from-a-distance called a train.
We rode so fast and I didn't even need a carseat or seatbelt.
Here's my yelp review for the Museum itself:
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If you're looking for a place to climb stairs, lick rocks and yell at small scale trains as they whizz by this spot will not disappoint!!
I visited this museum for my first time today and was quite impressed with the number of trains, conductors and fun buttons to push (though slightly depressed that I did not spot one doggie the entire time).
Aside from the amazing array of rocks spread throughout this joint...
I'd say the main highlight of this museum would be the stairs. There are stairs up and down quite a few number of trains and several staircases to ascend and descend as many times as your little heart could wish for and/or your parent will allow. Added bonus: your immune system will never be the same again after you crawl up hundreds of stairs others have trodden.
If you feel that your interest it the minute details of the transcontinental railroad begin to wane and you find your parent is spending too much time waxing eloquent about the completion of said railroad at Promontory Summit... just head up the carpeted flight of stairs and you will encounter a spread of train toys such as you could've never conjured up in your wildest fancies!
Just beyond the train which carries miniature people around in a miniature town (seriously, someone get those people something fattening to eat! How does someone stay so small!) you will find the train sets you are allowed to touch, taste and throw.
One of the highlights in this area is a train that you get to control with a button. It's basically a peek-a-boo game with a technological twist. Perfect for someone with the knack.
Thrilling every time.
I would note that there are several museum guests that seemed really stiff and entirely impolite. As many times as I would gesture a welcoming hello or try to stare them down they simply remained poised in whatever position I first found them in. I for one was quite impressed at their ability to remain so.... still.
Their presence overall shouldn't dampen your experience too much. I highly recommend this spot - you'll walk out sure you want to either be a train engineer or even a locomotive when you grow up.
In short, this place gets my 5-star fist bump of approval.
