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.
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
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.
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
A beautiful experience🤍.
Thank you! I wish every day could be like this with T. 🤣
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.
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)!
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.
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 🙏
Thank you! Best to you and your newborn too! 🙂
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!
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!