...and what a pleasure it is! I often joke how active Luke can be. I think I speak more of his antics of jumping off the couch, scaling the posts of the 4 poster bed, jumping from the fifth step onto the landing, etc.
However, this week with everyone gone, dare I say, he seems...well...calmer. He really does. He is playing by himself and happily keeping himself entertained with the plethora of toys and activities that are available in his space.
I am relishing the quiet time playing with him.
Yesterday I took him to the small local zoo for an outing. I expected to be chasing him through the zoo and did not expect he would stop to notice the animals for more than a minute.
Though he really didn't stop and gaze at too many animals beyond the petting barn (my least favorite, by the way) he never veered too far from me and never engaged in the "chase me" nonsense that I had been geared up for.
It was nice just to follow him along and not have to split my attention amongst the masses.
Of course, the main attraction for Luke was the playground...I knew that going in. I chuckled to myself that I basically paid $21 for Luke to play on the swings and slide.
I delighted observing Luke follow the same route to the slide. I was impressed that he waited his turn on the tire swing without the "It's my turn" pout that is common at this age. In fact, I found it funny that while he waited he posed a stance against the pole of leaning with his arm crossed and attempted to cross his ankles, too, indicating the "I'm Waiting" body language that he must've picked up here at home.
I don't know why but I was surprised when he announced he was hungry and willingly left the playground to sit and eat lunch.
I know that must sound stupid. What kid doesn't leave and sit somewhere to eat when they're hungry?
Luke. I've seen him ignore hunger, nature-calls for potty, and exhaustion to continue to play outside or on playground equipment.
After lunch we visited the area with parrots and macaws. As Luke greeted every other animal behind the fences, he says, "Hello ________ (fill in name of animal)" The parrot answered, "Hello" clear as a bell. Luke turned to me with such a curious look and said, "That bird just talked to me." He said this with a tone that denoted disbelief and a "isn't that ridiculous" twinge.
I wish I had more pictures of Luke observing the animals. He was most interested in the eagles, koi and turtles.....and of course, the parrots and macaws. He liked the flamingos and the turkey vultures. Though little impressed with the active elk, timber wolf and big horns, he was really awed by the bison. I remember Jake being impressed in the same way when he was a little guy.
I enjoyed just having Luke with me yesterday. My observances of this "new" behavior are probably noticings of normal behavior that slips by me because it's so, well, normal. The outrageous stuff is what catches my attention.
I also particularly appreciated buying a cheap toy for Luke at the gift shop. I usually can't or won't do that when it's everyone else in tow. It'll cost more than the price of admission so unless everyone brings their own dollars, I bypass the gift shop altogether.
Getting Luke to the car was seamless.
I don't know why Luke's agreeable nature took me by surprise yesterday, but it did. I think he's, on the average, pretty agreeable. I guess I just don't notice it through the busyness of our family commotion.
Cassie, 19, will often reminisce, "Remember when it was just you and me, Mom?" I always chuckle to myself because it was only "you and me, Mom" for 3 years. But I guess with just a little sister for awhile it feels longer to her.
I remembered today, Cassie. I remembered today and relished it with you.
