I live vicariously through my children. I admit it.I don't mean the vicarious living that works out my failings or unrealized dreams through their successes, but the sort that sees a creepy-crawly for the first time -- again -- through the expression of wonder on the face of a toddler, or enjoys the sense of accomplishment found by the 1st grader who finds she can read a whole verse from the Bible during the family devotion.
I had a couple of great moments of vicarious living today...
After being homebound with a sore throat for 5 days (5 whole days!), Fifi was finally well enough to get back on schedule today. Good thing there was a field trip scheduled! The girls and I went to a farm: goats, horses, ponies, emu, llamas, donkeys, ducks, a goose, turkey, peacock, rooster, hens, rabbits and miniature pot-bellied pigs. *gigglesnort* Oh, those pot-bellied pigs!
They were 1/3 the size they will grow to be, and so presumably too young to be getting down to "business" like they were.
I was laughing so hard at those poor little piggies. I was embarrassed for them too, but I won't say why...
I also wondered, "Where is this little piggie-man's mama? Someone ought to be breakin' this up! These two young people are going to ruin their lives with this decision!"
Ha ha ha...ahem...ok then.
I loved watching my girls discover these animals in this hands-on setting. It was as if they had never seen a duck or a rabbit before. Dumpling was delighting in the goats and was so fascinated that there were eggs in the hen pen.
Cuddlebug did something that really had little to do with the farm -- it was just where we happened to be. She was standing in line, next-to-last, waiting for her turn on a pony when she turned around to a little tow-headed boy her same size and asked, "Can you whistle?" She said it twice because he didn't understand her the first time, and then he simply answered,
"I don't know how."
To this, she said nothing at all. She only turned back around and very quietly smiled a smirk of self-satisfaction so sincere that my heart just melted and leaped for joy all at once. She was not the least bit interested in competing with this little boy. She had no intention of hurting his feelings and in fact, did not allow him to see her revel in her victory. She's the 3rd child. She is behind two accomplished, kind, beautiful sisters and this moment was between She and Herself. After a respectable few seconds, she slowly puckered and started her victory lap.
*breathy whistling tone*
Meanwhile, Fifi was conspicuously the oldest girl in attendance. And then we met Mary. She is the oldest daughter of a family of 9 siblings and she is exactly. 11. years. old. Perfect! The two of them "hung out" together and managed somehow to parlay a trip to the kiddie farm into a twice-monthly volunteer position learning about, and caring for the
animals with the very kind lady who owns the place. What's a bigger word that excited? Now multiply that word to the 10th power, and maybe you'll get close to Fifi's feelings about the promise of working on a farm. A real farm!It was a very good day. A very good day, indeed.
5 comments:
What a great way to spend the day with your girls. But I'm laughing at the little pigs. Bet you had to do some fast talking, Mom. :-)
Where is this farm? It looks like somewhere we would like to visit! My 12 yr has been wanting to volunteer to work with animals since she was about 8. What a great opportunity for FiFi!
Hey there, friend,
Good to find you as well. I sure enjoyed reading your blog. What a delightful day! And I am glad to hear that you have recovered from the sore throat. I too have had a cold this past week and am beginning to feel better as well.
You, my friend, are a true blogger. I struggle to find the time. Perhaps recently it is in part because we have had company for three weeks. Count 'em - 3 weeks, going on four.
Talk to you soon. Yes, my eldest would love to come with you tomorrow. I'll call you.
Terri
Yes, I know what you mean about living vicariously through your children. There is no greater joy than seeing through their eyes.
What an exciting opportunity for Fifi! Yet another reason I know you're glad you homeschool.
Somehow I missed the last four posts, but am glad I caught up. You write very well. I especially liked the If Only one - I could say all of the same things, but the if only is the reasons I listed in my birthday post!
I didn't make it to the gym that night, because we went out to a very nice restaurant and I ate WAY too much! I should definitely have gone, but had to keep the grandkids so the kids could practice praise band. Besides, I couldn't even waddle! But I went tonight and I did feel better - at least about myself!
Thanks.
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