The baby wasn't nursing well, at all. Which isn't good if you have been following what has been going on with him and his doctors. Big brother had it super rough too... I heard plenty of "I'm never coming back here. There are too many rules. I can't follow them all!"
Since the house wasn't prepared for a youngster at all we spent some time outside at the school's playground in the neighborhood. I held Pooteroot as Boogaloo ran around playing and darting from equipment available.
He seemed somewhat frustrated and unable to decide on what to play because nothing appealed to him. Which of course led to throwing mulch which I had to inform him was likely against the rules. (There we go with the rules again right?)
We returned to the house for lunch, but not much food got eaten. Boogaloo just wanted to go outside again. I felt bad because I had told my Mother In Law I would help prep food for the next day, but it seemed like helping my Son not get in her hair was a better help.
So after a short while, we headed back out. He was in such a hurry both times we didn't even take a device with a camera. This time we skipped the playground and tried out a walking path near their home.
Boogaloo had a blast looking at trees, collecting leaves and rocks etc. He had been told there was a creek back there and he was enjoying the search for it.
As we walked I felt peace begin to come over him, and Pooteroot. We rounded a corner at our own pace and found a bridge. We didn't make it any further on the trail. We spent the next hour and a half or more there.
Boogaloo experimented with dropping rocks, of various sizes from various heights in different ways. Then moved on to try sticks, and sand. I sat on the curb of the walking bridge and nursed Pooteroot, who finally relaxed, nursed well, and fell asleep with a smile.
At one point, Boogaloo grabbed a rock, smiled big (for the first time all day), looked at me and said.; "I just love you!" My heart melted and leaked out my eyes briefly.
As we spent our time there near the bridge and playing in the creek, I prayed. At first. I asked for peace because I felt the battle so strongly. I asked for protection too. I soon felt at ease. Watching my sweet boys there I found myself praying in gratitude for the creek, and that my kids were able to play the way God intended.
The answer astounded me for a moment.: "This isn't the way I intended"
I meditated on that for a moment... I realized just as the difference between the play equipment and the creek play was astounding ... The fact of the matter was that we were still interfering with child's play by imposing a man-made bridge, man-made rock banks on the edges, the fear of getting too close to the edges, the "try not to get your boots in the water" comment I made, and later I found out there was even really nasty stuff in the creek. (Which made me glad I didn't let him really play in the creek itself. I was more worried it was cold and he would have to go back to the house, but sewage makes a big difference.)
I feel like our kids have gotten so very far from the way God intended we play. I don't know that I have the real ability to give my children back the nature in childhood the way I really want to, but I can do my best. We all can.
I hope you will join me in pledging to give our children more untouched (as much as possible) by adults nature time. I can't help but feel God must be smiling when he sees his children that happy...
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