Compromise

Luke and I went to some yard sales yesterday morning. It wasn't a really successful time, but it was fun. Luke thought Norah would like this little dollhouse, so we got it for her. He liked it too. This morning he's been playing pretty quietly, so I keep checking up on him. Here's what I found. A bunch of army guys playing in Norah's dollhouse. I think that's just the beginning of toy compromises in my world:)

Searching

I think I only have one blog reader who will instantly recognize this photo. But many of you know about my affection for this place. This is my Uncle Derb's house. He's been gone for 11 years now. When I found out that my friend Carrie moved to Middletown I knew she was probably near where Uncle Derb's house was. So after I had dinner with Carrie, I took a drive.
And my memory got me to the house. I saw the Moby Dick restaurant, then a red barn-like antique store and a VFW lodge. I knew I was going the right way when I saw Marengo Dr., then Meadow. I had to navigate the maze of streets twice but knew I was so close. That verse about searching like you're looking for lost money kept running through my head. I just wanted to see the house. Then I saw Willow Brook and knew I was almost there. When I looked right and saw a grassy field leading to the park where Uncle Derb always walked his dalmatian, I knew I was there. Sure enough, to the left was his old house. Almost like home for my mom. Definitely full of memories of wonderfully prepared meals, laughter, Skip Bo, pet parrots, and a hundred other things that made the place special.
I don't know why, I just had to find it.

Luke's Perspective

Today Luke came in to tell me he spilled some milk which he thought was pretty funny. I went in to clean it up and as I was wiping it up with a wet washcloth, he said "Nice heart Mom." Apparently I had made a heart shape as I was cleaning. And that was what he noticed. Childhood perspective never ceases to amaze me.

Hopscotch

The other day I drew out hopscotch for Luke to play on. Jamie inspired me with sidewalk chalk fun at cell group the other night.

Today when we were playing outside, Luke was looking around and asked, "Where's our jump?" It took me a minute to translate that. He wondered where the hopscotch had gone. So we had some more fun with the chalk. Norah enjoyed eating the chalk - not good.

Then I drew out some circles and numbered them for him to hop on. He wanted his birthday number, so I went to 12. Then he wanted Daddy's number so I made circles up to 16. As soon as I made the 13, he looked at it from the side and thought I made the McDonald's arch. Wow, he really is my kid:)