And we like pink applied very heavily. My grand daughter was here over the weekend. It was the first time I've seen her since April and it was the first time she's come to visit Nana and PaPa in North Carolina. I am always amazed by how intense she is about her side walk chalk. Always pink first and only one color at a time. The pink does not last long. It gets used up. The other colors we move through quite quickly. But seriously, only one at a time. I love watching this thought process. I'd love to know how a four year old makes these choices. But those are mysteries that are known only to children. It's a secret world.
Play dough with PaPa is a pretty intense too. Again only one colour at a time. And only with PaPa. There are strict rules about lining up the shapes in just the right order. Only PaPa is able to do it. Old Bob is allowed to watch but his help is not appreciated.
Daddy made an awesome ladder for the play house which I learned is actually a castle. That little porch up there is where Rapunzel lets down her hair. It's an elaborate affair to get that hair all unwound and to the ground so we can head off to see the floating lights. I know this because I watched Tangled quite a few times over the weekend and recognized the ritual.
I always feel priviledged to be allowed into a child's world. It is a whole new way of looking at things. There aren't the adult rules and view points. Life is full of mysteries to be explored and explained in your own way. The special Nana activity is the flash light. Each night before stories we go out into the back yard with the flash light and find things. Do you know how different everything looks when you find it with a flash light? It's magic out there. A leaf becomes embued with power that it just does not have in daylight.
It's so quiet today. The side walk chalk is all washed away by the rain. Alice is so tired. She is my grand daughter's special dog friend. They are inseperable. Nana is tired too. But looking forward to the next time. Looking forward to the night time exploration. Anticipating seeing the world a little differently.
11 comments:
oh, that is just so beautiful... they do have their own way of doing things, don't they? and it is just fine - no need to explain why... it just is...
my heart melts at the site of sidewalk chalk, remembering colors that went first... the things that were drawn...
the smell of playdough and flashlights... all so wonderful... glad your heart is near to bursting - amazing how their is always room for more and more love...
awww, I am loving your visit with your granddaughter and the special things you do together. the only one color at a time for play-doh or sidewalk chalk makes me wonder if she eats only one thing at a time on her plate and if they are allowed to touch. she sounds like she's part of my family :)
Isn't it amazing how a slight shift of perspective 'creates' a whole new world? Glad you had some intense time with your family.
I can tell by your words just how much love and joy you are feeling from this wonderful visit with your granddaughter. There really is nothing like them, they really are a gift. I hope it's not too long before the sidewalk is flowing with color again!
your writing tugs at the heartstrings.. they are little for so short a time.. thanks. Joan T
Such a beautiful post LeAnn! I wish most days were like the ones you describe here!
She is going to have wonderful memories of you and your husband!!!! And the dogs!
Hey LeAnn, looks like a fun time for all ~ especially that tired pup! Bet you felt like doing that, too, those four year olds have special energy ...
you are so lucky to spend such good time with her.
How absolutely delightful!!!
Chloe keeps getting excited because autumn is getting closer, and halloween too. And she wants to be Rapunzel with the Long hair (not her short brown hair - mommy can be that one - according to Chloe).
I had not thought of going out into the back yard with a flashlight. And now is the perfect time! Hand hitting forehead when I read that. We've been in such a mode that I really need to think outside the box more with my little ones. Man - I really need to (thinking of putting computer in lock down for a bit).
Alice looks perfectly happy!
Hahaha I totally know how Alice feels! lol What a great play house!!!
She's precious, LeAnn! I so much love the time listening to my 4 year old granddaughter.... It's all that innocence combined with imagination that makes it such a rewarding experience. I'm looking forward to the developing personalities of the younger two. They're just starting to show who they are.
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