After what seems like an eternity of rain (which included over 8 inches of rainfall yesterday alone!), the kids and I finally got out this afternoon for some outdoor time. We stopped by the library for a quick drop off and pick up run, put our books in the car, and took off across the way. Our library is right beside the local high school. This afternoon there was track practice, field hockey practice, some folks playing soccer, and a JV football game going. It was a new experience for me because the home team was actually winning 40 to 0 when we arrived. When I think back to high school football, I identify much more easily with the visitors to this game.
It was a beautiful sunny fall afternoon, and everything was green and lush from all the rainfall, with a cool breeze and a touch of fall crispness in the air. The walk from the library to the football field isn't too much of a hike, but it still took a good twenty minutes since we were moving at the pace of people who are three feet tall and have no particular drive to arrive anywhere. We explored tall trees and steep hills, stopped to collect sticks and flowers, and Fiona occasionally announced, "Listen everybody: We don't know where we're going, and we're never going to get there!" in a booming announcer-like voice that matched that of the guy calling the plays over the loudspeaker. We paused to examine people running at various practices and listen to the booming of drums in the distance.
When we finally arrived at the football field, we found a spot outside the fence on the visitors' side (like I said, way more comfortable with the underdog), and I explained a few basics to Fiona. Elijah was mostly interested in the rocks. They were big and most could be fit through the holes in the fence, but not all. Fiona liked the different colored uniforms, the tackles and the cheers. But mostly she like when the crowd would all start yelling. She and Elijah both yelled at the top of their lungs whenever there was a significant play. I like to think it helped because the visitors scored a touchdown shortly after we arrived.
The kids had fun playing in the soccer goals that were stacked up near us, and watching when the play got close, and after a while we walked back to our car, which was another adventure. Elijah got a ride on my shoulders part of the way--this was probably the longest he's ever walked. When we got to the edge of the grass back at the library and were about to step into the parking lot, I called out, "I need hands so I can cross the parking lot" even though there were no cars. They had both started walking ahead and both stopped short and came back to hold my hands. But here was the precious part--Fiona, chubby little hand in mine, looked up and said, "It sure is a good thing we have a Mommy to tell us about parking lots and hold our hands so we can cross!" *melt*
Tonight before bed, Fiona and Elijah took turns tackling Dan. She wants to play football tomorrow, so now I have to find a ball :)
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