Own little world.

Sonja lives in a fantasy land. Not all the time, but a lot of the time. If you hang out with her and watch her, you'll see and hear her telling herself a story. It's like a running commentary of the tale unfolding in her imagination. 


When we walk the dog in the park, Sonja is always up ahead, running around in her own little world. And I'm usually too busy corralling Jett and Haven to pay too much attention, other than asking her over and over to slow down and stay where I can see her.

We met up with our friend Paul this afternoon for a walk; he brought his son Dillan and their two dogs. While we were walking, Paul asked if I knew anything about Sonja's fantasy-land tales. I realized I had no idea, so when we got home, I asked her what today's story had been about. She answered, "The Fairy Princess and the Lions," like it was the title of a book on our bookshelf. 


Apparently "the lions" (the dogs) had escaped from their cages and The Fairy Princess (Sonja) had to catch them, thus saving all of Fairy Princess Land. Thank goodness she succeeded.

And although this is possibly the best thing I've ever heard Sonja say, my favourite part of the whole thing was how happy she was that I asked. Her eyes lit up like high beams and she smiled her proudest smile. 


Remind me to ask again because that was amazing.

Someday.

Beacon Hill park in the spring. Like a long exhale after the winter; sandals and sun hats.

I remember when Sonja was really little, I would take her to the park and have to watch her every second and help her with absolutely everything. It was always fun, but pretty exhausting. And then I would notice some of the other parents with older children, standing back and watching, even chatting with other parents. "Someday," I thought.

Looks like someday is close at hand.

How come?

It's chilly and this hood is woefully inadequate.

Seriously. Who designed this thing? Mama, a little help?

Thanks, Mama. Your hat will work fine. Now I can try to catch up with Sonja and Ana.

I can do it! You stay back there; I'm a big girl!

But... How come they didn't wait for me?

You're right, Mama. We can walk the rest of the way together. You and me.

We don't need them.

...but I would have waited for them. I would have! No fair.

Why??!!

Oh well. La la la...

Just keep taking pictures.

Sonja, my Beauty. Dandelions in one hand, a tiny, plastic-bird toy with an oversized head in the other hand. Happily swinging. Almost serene. 

Back and forth, back and forth; delightful laughter filling the air...

Haven, my Cutie. ...seriously; who am I kidding? Haven, my twenty-five-pound dictator. My cute and cuddly monster. The sand is too sandy, the dandelions are too stinky, there aren't enough hands to hold all her rocks and now this mysterious play-thing in the playground won't bend to her will. 


Two-year-old rage-o-rama complete with squealing growl-like sounds.


And I just keep taking pictures. Like hiding behind the camera will protect me. Fool!

It was a big day.

It was a big day. A long day. No nap, lots of activity, lots of sun. A long walk with Jett in the park and then home to a movie while I cleaned the house. 


I was vacuuming the kitchen and I peeked into the living room and saw this:

I actually left the vacuum running while I took most of these photos; I didn't want the abrupt change in noise to jar Haven from her sleep. How funny is that? 


Besides the car, this is the first time Haven's fell asleep somewhere other than her bed in a very long time. Momentous and adorable, all at the same time.

But the best part by far was how pleased Sonja was to be snuggling her baby sister while she slept. She was actually a little disappointed when I finally finished my vacuuming and came in to wake Haven up.

Once Haven was awake, Sonja kept trying to kiss her and snuggle her again. I don't think she got the reaction she was hoping for; apparently Haven is much more agreeable when she's sleeping. ...I could have told her that.

I don't think either of these girls really understands how much they are loved by each other. But I'm glad I can see it.

Give me the keys.

We finished our run and I was loading the Chariot, but I needed to keep Haven busy. She loves playing with my keys, so I gave them to her and she climbed into the front-passenger seat of the car. 

By the time I'd finished loading the stroller, I looked in and Haven had put the keys in the ignition and was "driving" the car.

It took me at least five minutes to convince her to get out of the driver's seat, but it still ended in tears.


Like the present and future suddenly collided.

Simple solution.

The dog needs to be walked, the kids are asking again and again for their Easter candy and bath time and bedtime are fast approaching. 

Simple solution: take them all to the park, let the dog do his thing, feed the girls their goodies and reap the benefits of a wide open space when the sugar rush hits.

Genius.