We're in the process of cutting down our Mayday tree. It has black knot fungus which looks like dogshit on a stick. It's fatal to the tree and is very contagious to other trees of the genus Prunus, like chokecherry trees which we have in our yard as well.
We cut some branches down and then I burn them because they can't go to the garbage dump, the spores are too contagious. We've been having a few fires which Jack has enjoyed. He's surprisingly careful around the fire and helps drag the branches to the fire pit and helps me cut them up with loppers. I have explained to him that the loppers are sharp and must be kept pointed downwards and he's careful with them. I also keep a close eye on him.
Two nights ago we sat in the backyard, staring at the fire as the sky got dark. It was lovely. It also makes me think about the fact that we have developed computers and robots, have travelled to the moon and still humans like to sit around a fire. We had a few marshmallows and Jack cuddled up in his poppa's arms, enjoying the closeness. The other day Jack asked his poppa, "You be my dad?".
He's finally settling in and slept well last night. A couple of nights ago he was up in the middle of the night, wandering up and down stairs, crying and screaming. He wanted milk, he didn't want milk. He was wet but didn't want me to change his diaper. He was beside himself and kept getting more and more upset. Finally, I snapped at him, "That's enough!", which upset him even more. At this point poppa stepped in and settled Jack back in bed.
The next morning I asked him how he was and he said, "You yell at me last night." and then gave me stink eye. Note to self, keep calm, don't yell. Last night it was just me and him as my hubby drove to Wetaskiwin to visit his dad who is still in hospital. Jack and I got along fine and it seems I am forgiven. We went to the park after supper and when the sun set, we walked home chatting.
The other day when I was driving someplace with him I said, "I could kick myself." He wanted to know why I would kick myself. I explained that it meant I was mad at myself.
I've cut my hair short and I had bedhead the other morning. Jack looked at me and said, "Why your hair look like dat?".
He is endlessly curious.
Fall has been beautiful this year and everyday I think this will be the last warm day. Today really will be. It's forecast to get cold over the next week. I've been spending as much time in the garden as I can because it's a long winter.
Oh, children! Sometimes when we are exhausted and our patience has already been tested and stretched to the breaking point- we snap. And then we generally feel worse than the child involved.
ReplyDeleteYou are doing such a fine job of taking care of that dear boy. You are teaching him, praising him, talking to him truthfully, making him feel safe and loved. You really are. Please be proud of yourself. And don't kick yourself anymore!
His mother yells at him and I try so hard not to but of course, when I'm tired, my patience is low. I'll try to stop kicking myself:)
DeleteI love the stuff kids say. Well, sometimes. They are brutally honest. Tomorrow is our last decent day, then we get a drop of 20 degrees, lots of rain and snow in the mountains. And perhaps less wildfire smoke? The love of sitting around a fire must be inbred from our cave ancestors. Is Jack prone to night terrors? My grandson has had them a couple times and it's hard to know what to do.
ReplyDeleteJack has had night terrors at least once. He also had growing pains a couple of weeks ago, just screaming in pain and then it was gone. He's also been sick, vomiting one week and then diarrhea the next. Maybe that's why I'm tired.
DeleteYou are doing a wonderful job with Jack. And sometimes they need to be snapped at as a) we're only human and b) they need to know that!
ReplyDeleteAre you able to have fires outdoors in winter or is it just too cold?
I do apologize to him but he's also the kind of kid to hold a grudge, much like his nana. We could have fires outdoors in the winter if we wanted but it's way too cold for me. It gets down to -20 to -35 sometimes and it's just horrible. Although I have a patient who likes to camp when it's -30. Not me.
DeleteYou said what I was going to say, sparklingmerlot. I honestly don't know if I could do what you are doing, Pixie.
DeleteI'm thinking that little kids don't realize that hair has innate qualities, often irrespective of the desires or actions of the person whose head it's growing out of.
ReplyDeleteMine is naturally very curly, and was long and--well, let's say "untamed"-- in my early adulthood decades ago. A silken-haired 4-year-old at the day camp where I worked in summer politely but curiously asked me why I "always wore (my) hair curly"! I imagine she was thinking of the tortuous hair-curling process her mother probably put her through for every dress-up occasion, and she wondered why I would voluntarily put myself through that ordeal every day.
I suspect that Gracie will have yelled at Jack many times in her exasperation and her self-doubt as a mother. You are right to remind yourself not to lose your rag with him. He needs the peaceful sanctuary that you and Big Poppa give him when he is with you.
ReplyDeleteHe does need peace and he's also really good at pushing buttons, also learned with his mom I'm guessing. I shall attempt to keep my rag:)
Delete"You be my poppa?" Oh my heart.
ReplyDeleteI know, heartbreaking.
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