Play Date

Elijah had arranged for a play date this morning with his friend Julian to begin at 10:00 AM. On most days the critters under my care can't make it past nine thirty let alone 10 so I figured it might be in all of our best interest to keep the agenda packed to avoid any realizations of fatigue from setting in. After the flurry of diapers changes, bananas, and outfitting we were ready to walk out the door at 8:40. Since Julian only lives fifteen minutes away and we had a little more time to kill, Elijah suggested that we play in the back yard for a bit. Great idea. I set up the water table and got a soccer ball for Amelia. We had a great time until Zach noticed that the morning dew was beginning to soak the soles of his monkey shoes and made him feel a little funky. Plus, Amelia had decided that she was already way ahead of the 16 month old curve in her soccer skills and instead wanted to start climbing the neighbors steps.

OK, check the time. 9:03. That's it? Still not soon enough to jump in the car.

I got out the jogging stroller and asked Elijah if he would like to go for a walk with me to pass some time. Fortunately he said yes, otherwise I would have just forced him to go thereby removing the illusion that he actually had a choice in the matter. The less of those letdowns he experiences the better, especially at this pivotal age where his friends seem so much cooler than his dad.

We walked for a few minutes up the hill when Elijah decided he would rather jog since he is at the threshold of a new soccer season and needs to be in shape in order to beat the seven year olds. Even though I was not dressed in my usual exercise garb, he never has to twist my arm to go running. We were now moving much more quickly and would be back to the house ahead of schedule so I decided we had enough time attempt one of my usual jogging routes which is quite a bit longer than the walking route originally planned. Seven year olds are really good at soccer.

9:30. OK perfect. We are right at the halfway point and will be back home just in time to climb into the car on schedule. We'll just turn to go east on this street here. Hmm, what is that thing next to the road there? Oh my gosh, it is a hawk laying down in the grass . Stop for a second and make sure it's not just stunned; It's pretty big and could be dangerous. No, it's definitely dead.

"What do you think happened to it?" Elijah asked peeking around me at the bird of prey laying on the ground, frozen with its legs in the air.
"I think it was probably hit by a car." I answered.
"I think it was a cat. Maybe Hagbard."
"Well if any cat could do something like that and get away unharmed, it would be Hagbard. He is a mighty hunter."
I'm not proud of that fact, but it is unfortunately true.

I then explained my scenario of how I think it may have happened; with the hawk swooping down in pursuit of the famed neighborhood white squirrel as it dashes across the road in a last ditch effort to evade the hawk's crushing talons. The albino rodent spots an approaching Fed-ex truck closing fast and really turns on the scamper gas to get clear. There is one hair at the very tip of it's fluffy tail which gets caught under the left front tire of the truck and stings slightly as the squirrel yanks his tail free diving deep into the dense holly bush next to the Waterson's front door. Before the Fed-Ex driver can even react to the situation (he is too busy searching for 684 W Pike Ave.) the majestic predator soars within inches of the delicious albino squirrel and is intercepted instead by the steel giant in its mad determination to reach its final destination.

"Oh." Elijah said.

We were almost home by that point. We had slowed down to a walking pace again while we talked about the hawk and other stuff that dads and sons talk about, and it had taken a good chunk more time than anticipated.

It's 9:50. That's fine. So we'll be a few minutes late; not a big deal. Play dates are usually planned liberally in the start time, so really 10 could mean any time in the vicinity. OK we're almost home and...where is Zach's monkey shoe?
"Elijah, have you seen Zach's monkey shoe."
"No."
"Oh, no. I think we lost a monkey shoe."
"Oh, no."
"Alright, let me look under their seats to make sure it's not...no, it's definitely not in the stroller."
"It looks like it's gone for good."
"We have to go back and try to find it."
"But my legs hurt."
"Come on. We have to. It's a monkey shoe."
"OK."

Elijah reluctantly agreed to retrace our steps in search of the monkey shoe. His spirits were a little down, so I pulled the other monkey shoe off Zach's foot and spoke to it, "Monkey shoe, go find your friend!!!" and threw it in the grass. Elijah loved that joke.

We started nearing the half way point on the reverse route. Both of us were starting to lose hope of recovering the monkey shoe, when out of nowhere it appeared in the front yard of a little green cape cod home. Without another word, we snatched up that monkey shoe and turned 180 degrees for the second and last time today. It made me especially happy we had found it before we had to walk by the hawk again. I think we all were.


A good week's end to you all.


Vacation begins for the Family of Mr. Steve today as we prepare to visit the extended family in Maine. Sure to be an exquisite affair. I'll see you the following Sunday and be sure to post some picture

The only downside of our vacation is that we won't be able to see Mr. Zach on his birthday, but I know it will be a fantastic one with his loving family able to share in his happiness. Enjoy, little man, and happy first birthday to you.