One of the enjoyable things as a parent is to see a child’s growth.
I remember those proud milestones that felt like they would never come: first steps, first words, first time peeing in the potty.
Lately, I enjoy seeing T’s play skills and imagination grow.
Today, the hubby gave me a blue moon gift to sleep in. And I did… until 12:30! I felt like a new person when I emerged in the early afternoon.
T was in the middle of playing camping adventure and asked me to join him.
I walked into his room and found this setup.
He had set up a pretend campsite and turned his foldable firetruck, gifted from his Grammy and Grandad – into a tent.
We turned three storage buckets for his toys into logs for Daddy, Papa and T to sit around the campfire – aka an orange pylon.
I just loved it seeing his creativity in action!
Kids with T’s prognosis – at risk FASD – have many challenges. But one common strength they have is creativity and being good storytellers. I see these qualities emerging in T.
I found a spot in the circle and T went downstairs and brought up his stuffed toys and we seated them around the campfire.
I was eyeing his “Lamby” thinking a roasted lamb would be good right now, but I wanted to keep the pretend play at a PG rating.
We roasted marshmallows and then it was time for bed.
“Goodnight to all of my wonderful children,” he told his stuffed toys. Then he and I climbed inside the tent.
T turned on his Galaxy Cove, which projects a starry pattern and light onto the ceiling and walls. Lying on the bed and looking up at the starry ceiling, it felt like we were really camping.
Oh, how I yearned to be truly out in the woods, without the specter of the pandemic.
We closed our eyes for a few seconds and T proclaimed that it was now morning.
He turned on the bedroom light and decided that we were going to go for a hike.
I asked him what we needed to pack and he said fishing rods. I guess we were going fishing!
We went for a long hike in the woods and stumbled upon a small creek… with a giant shark!
T tackled the shark and chopped him up and cooked him for dinner.
That was quite the unexpected meal to have at an Ontario Provincial Park!
I praised T for playing so well and for having such a wonderful imagination. Then I decided to get showered.
As I was getting ready in the bathroom, I heard T talking to his stuffed animals. I loved every single moment that I eavesdropped upon.
My Life With T 
What a fun time! OK I have never heard of the blue moon gift. I realize it was letting you sleep in but where did that originate from. I’ve been around a long time, I should know that one…lol
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It was fun! Oh what I meant was letting me sleep in was a “once in a blue moon” gift cuz I’m always the one who wakes up early on weekend. Hahahaha.
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Haha I laid in bed last night then it came to me. (I do my best thinking in bed) I figured it was “once in a blue moon” but it didn’t click. Can I blame it on old age…lol
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A beautiful experience🤍.
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Thank you! I wish every day could be like this with T. 🤣
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Looks like I’m not the only one who is excited for summer to go camping again!! It’s incredible how creative and imaginative kids are. Also, I am digging the starry ceiling.
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Thanks L! The thought of summer is what’s getting me through these dreary pandemic winter days. 🤣 And yah, we like the starry ceiling lights. It’s the closest I’ll ever get to seeing the Northern Lights (on my bucket list)!
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I’d love to see the Northern Lights too. I’ve only ever seen them once, but that was on a plane when flying to Iceland, so it didn’t really count. One day. My bucket list just seems to keep growing.
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Beautiful story Ab. To live through the eyes of your children is one of the great joys of parenthood. Wishing you and yours the very best 🙏
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Thank you! Best to you and your newborn too! 🙂
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Wow, nice sleep in! T’s imagination sounds so cool. You can see your family dynamic almost in how kind and loving he treats his stuffed animal family. I would eavesdrop too – so cool to listen to!
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Thanks Robyn! We have many volatile chaotic moments – not always peaceful and kind, haha – but yes, this was a wonderful moment. 😊 Hope you’re hanging in there!
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