That Taste of Springtime

Solly attended his first birthday party yesterday! He was SO excited – to a liiiiittle bit anxious upon arriving – to complete joy the moment he saw a familiar face at the door. He ran into the party without looking back. I told him I’d be back after supper to get him. He didn’t hear me. He wasn’t worried. That was a big success!

The party was to let out somewhere between 6:30 and 7, so being that the time was flexible, we decided to walk. I had bene itching to go out for a walk, and had planned on walking him there with the family, but we were late getting out the door and it just didn’t work out. After supper would have to do.

And that it did.

As you can see, rubber boots even came out! Jackets were overkill but we knew it was going to be cooler out on the walk back.

We walked aaaaall the way across town, and turned out to be among the first to arrive. So we lapped a block and bought Solly an extra ten minutes. Once we saw a few other parents go into the house, I figured I should be polite and go retrieve my child.

The house was TEAMING! It was pure mayhem in there! This kids very brave parents had invited the entire kindergarten class! Five year olds EVERYWHERE! But not my five year old. So I braved the party and went downstairs to hunt for my kid.

I found him totally happily surrounded by new toys and friends in the basement. He immediately burst out crying, thinking he had to leave NOW! I went to him and told him I would happily give him two more minutes. He rallied right away and started showing me all the cool toys. Once he had showed me all the important things, he told me he was ready, and we headed up and out!

I know he LOVED the party, but I LOVED the walk 💜 I ache for springtime walks after supper. That used to be out routine, and it was SO good for all of us.

By the time our house was in sight, it was just past the younger kids bedtime, and all five of our kids were saying they were really looking forward to their warm beds. Even Dekker, who stays up later than everyone, said he didn’t think he’d read tonight, but just go right to bed. And it was all said happily. Not in a grumpy “Thats it. We’re all going to bed” kind of way. In a comfy, tired, restful, warm way.

I hope for so so many more of these evenings. It felt like another way that normalcy is approaching. Thank you Lord for beautiful weather, even if just for a time.