Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Life With Boys: Ponds, Tadpoles and Fun
It's a new era in my life with boys. They have started to make friends outside the home and are actually bringing them home. I'm not exactly sure how I would feel about this situation if it were reversed. If it were my kids rushing off to someone else's house. I would worry about everything from their manners to how they were treated.But one more kid here? It can't be that much harder than my 4 rough and rowdy kids.
Except it can be.
I wish my kids could have grown up with me. I wish they could have rode their bikes all around town without a second thought that someone could harm them. That they could run and explore without their Mother tagging along checking out the strangers around them. I feel sorry for them that their Mother is shown a barrage of all the bad things that go on all around the world on a daily basis. That she sometimes feels panic stricken with something so sweet as little boys catching tadpoles. That she imagines new reports of drowning's and reporters (if you can call them that nowadays) discussing whether or not she could have avoided it.
My kids are cautious. They think before they act most of the time. They have been trained to by me. So when we visited the local park complete with pond I didn't anticipate watching them delve their sweaty hands into the slimy waters of the pond. Nor did I think that I would be as exited as they were when they were finally able to accomplish their mission.
As I sat on the bench with Miss Maddy watching my little boys be little boys I got a little misty eyed. I tried to calm my heart as they raced around the pond looking for the mother load of all things slimy and green. I tried to quiet my mind, which was thinking all sorts of terrible thoughts. I could imagine having to dive in after one of my boys who still can't swim. I sat back in the sunshine and watched my dream childhood for my kids come to life. They didn't have a care in the world. They weren't thinking or worried about anything other than this moment.
Finally so was I.
They were successful. Catching about 50 tadpoles with everything from leaves to their bare hands. I was thankful that there was only one moment of panic. My youngest slipped on a rock but was able to keep himself above the water with his hand. His brother and new friend pulled him to safety.
After a while I took Miss Maddy around looking at flowers...well the weedish first flowers of Oklahoma that the gardener will be mowing down very soon. I just wish that I knew what I was doing with my camera. I got very lucky a couple of times, but I have no idea how to do it again. I am trying to keep my camera on the setting that fixes aperture then I can flip through the f-stops to find the right one.
This last one I am submitting for Faith's Simplicity Photography challenge: Flowers and Leaves:
Only the first photo was edited. Using picnik.com...the rest are as is.
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I'm glad you all had a good (safe) time! I'm thankful you got that picture because it is amazing!! I tried to take a picture of it on my wall but the lighting doesn't do it justice. My honeydew green walls & dark purple carpet with that picture-- they were meant to be together!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, heartfelt post, beautiful photos. I agree... I wish I could give my kids a bit longer of a leash... we do live on a cul-de-sac and they do get free reign between our house and the neighbors' across the street, but still...
ReplyDeleteI sometimes wish my children could have the kind of freedom I had in childhood too, but then I realize I may be devaluing the life they lead. It's a different life, that's all.
ReplyDeleteAs the mother who feeds all boys in the neighborhood, I can tell you it's great!
Gorgeous shots! I think we all need to be reminded to live in the moment. Especially those of us with so many responsibilities :)
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful post!! And these photos are just gorgeous. I love the first and last one especially. You really captured the *feeling* of the day through them!
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