Experiences of life and death...

Jason went to town to play ping pong with a friend Friday evening.  He texted me when he was headed home, which was soon followed by another text that said, "Stopped for a deer. Be right home." I was, at this point, rather preoccupied with the nighttime routine, involving two overly tired children, so didn't reply to clarify what precisely he meant - texting often leaves much unsaid!  Upon his arrival home, I learned that there was in fact a deer in our car.

I do not take lightly animals being hit along the road and wish it didn't happen. But it does. And if we find them in time, it feels good to make use of the meat if we are able to. The next day I asked the girls if they knew what daddy had brought home.  It got the conversation started and I mentioned something about it being a new pet, named Fred (not really sure what inspired that comment).  That got Jason's creative juices flowing and before the end of the meal, this "ode to Fred" had been constructed.

We have a new pet deer named Fred.
He is dead.

Crossing roads successfully was not a good fit.
He was hit.

While he was alive we did not get to meet him.
We will eat him.

While on the subject of death, we had a funeral in our home today.  Jason had put "play foam" on our family meeting agenda.  It was bound to be a contentious subject. Someone gave Kali play foam many years back. For those unfamiliar with the stuff (you haven't missed much!), it's little colored beads that all stick together and you can play with it, kind of like play dough. That is until it is years old, has lost much of its stick-togetherness and is starting to stink. Jason got to clean up after the last time Alida played with it, thus the agenda item.

Alida's only comment on that particular agenda item was, "keep it."  The rest of us unanimously agreed the time to part ways had come. Jason suggested we have a play foam funeral, sing some songs, shed tears and lay it to rest.  Alida took care of the tears part.  We sang a variation of "Alleluia the play foam is over..." and we all, minus Alida, had some black clothing on to signify mourning.  While we were at it, we ditched some moldy crusty play dough.  Alida's grief was appropriate and very short lived.  Kids are amazing that way.  It felt like a pretty good process in the end - holding her while she expressed her sadness at the loss and then watching her bounce back and sing as she played with the remaining mediocre store bought play dough, still with tear stained cheeks.   Then this afternoon she and Kali made a new batch of pink play dough.  It is a huge hit and Alida happily threw out another container of store bought stuff, which now pales in comparison with the new soft pliable dough.  We are all happy with the outcome.  I love family meetings!  And the notes will give the girls many good laughs down the road.

There's also lots of good living happening!  This weekend has had some really good low key hang out time with the girls for me. It's been so welcome!  Terah tried out the outdoor baby swing. I got out on numerous walks (as that is the best way to assure Terah her 3 naps/day, especially if anything exciting is happening inside).  The older girls have joined me for a few fun walks and I particularly loved the fashion statement Alida made on our walk today with her sparkly pink shorts over her footie jammies.  I so often wonder what the neighbors think of us!  Terah got to enjoy watching the chickens and ducks and we visited Kali and Alida's teepee that they made in one of their long outdoor play times. On my way outside with a picnic snack for the girls, I admired a patch of blooming crocuses and took a deep breath at the sight of Kali at the top of her climbing tree (she is careful, but my she is high up)! Inside the house, Terah has enjoyed a few short stints in the highchair, and was fond of sucking on a carrot circle.  She is definitely starting to seem interested in what the big people are doing when they sit down at the table with plates of colorful yummy smelling things in front of them.  She still seems most content in someone's arms but we keep trying play time in other locations.  Tummy time is still not a favorite but having increased control over her limbs will help with that I think!  She continues to be a voracious chewer and impressive drooler!  Here are some visuals of the aforementioned things:

And now it is Sunday afternoon and today has felt more sabbath-like than many Sundays of late. Rainy days always help with that.  Jason just collected the eggs with all three daughters for the first time and is now playing piano with Terah while the older girls play with their chickens and ducks.  I've been happy for a full day at home to stay in my pj's and gear up for another week. It is uncertain what new things this week will hold, but no doubt there will be some.  Terah has also been busy finding and using her voice and it is rather loud at times.  That, coupled with my sheer exhaustion, is making us wonder how much longer it will feel like a good option for us to go to work together.  So a bottle may be on the "new things" this week.  That comes with very mixed feelings for me.  While I can't adequately describe how tired I feel at times being tethered to our little munchkin, I also am pretty taken by how it feels to be such a bright spot in someone's life. We keep finding our way...