So funny! What a neat guy - I found him standing this way, on his own. Just arms crossed, watching me maneuver the huge SUP back to the truck.

Here is an excerpt from an email I wrote to Gramma, Ben, about spending time with you today (Fri Nov 2). We had gone for a bike ride (you) and jog (me) at Battle Point Park, played on the playground, watched geese diving in the pond for food, then went to lunch at Bainbridge Bakers, and then checked out a preschool – your first time in one. Turns out they didn’t have room for drop-ins – lucky me! No pressure to leave you with anyone else so I can spend a dumb hour at the gym wondering about you. I didn’t want to do that anyway. 🙂 Here is what I wrote to mom:

> yes you are right about the commitment to continuing to know your > little dears, and the humility to fully appreciate the tremendous gift > of a little hand holding yours, not someone else’s, every minute it. > I felt little Ben’s hand reaching up for mine today as we walked > around and was so grateful. I tell him that all the time. we stopped > to look at a delivery truck parked in the middle of the road. Just > stopped the entire world from spinning and focused on him – little > nose, little eyes, lips parted studying it. He picked out all the > letters and actually read the word “food” on his own after blending > sounds. That is the first time he has actually read a word on his own. I am so proud of him, so proud to be his mom, and will be so > very sad when he starts school. I am so very grateful for this time > with my boys.  I do understand very > definitely that it is a gift that I am thankful for every day, to have > TIME with them, to know them intimately, better than anyone else ever > will. I am so lucky. but yes, it is hard work to take care of the > home, chores, volunteer and work, and still make sure your little one > gets big doses of love and attention as often as possible.  :0

Little Ben – I love you very much! Your strong grip on my hand sometimes prevents me from getting my keys, or from saving my phone from another fall (at least I have learned how to replace a cracked faceplate now!), but I wouldn’t trade that vice grip for anything. You and Sam have colds today, and I am counting my blessings that I can snuggle you perhaps a few minutes today because you won’t feel like writhing to get away 🙂 Sam is too big – he may still get away. But you…I have you for a little longer my friend! You guys have just woken up – I hear your little voices! I’m running in to get you!

Love, Mom