This is what I kept thinking of last night when Levon had a small accident around two and needed dry clothes and a dry place to sleep so I brought him into bed with us after I'd changed him out of his pajamas. Instead of that little boy and little girl there in the bed above, there was only one small boy and a very fat cat between Mr. Moon and me but somehow, that's exactly how it felt.
We got some sleep. Then around six, the small boy decided that it was time to wake up and he did try his best to be quiet until I told him that it was truly time but it wasn't long before his brother on his fold-out bed started whistling and rustling about and then came and got in bed too. He and Levon hugged as if they'd not seen each other since before the war and it was about that time that Mr. Moon quit trying to pretend he was still asleep and took those boys out to watch TV while he dozed in his chair and I dropped back into sleep like a rock into a well.
By the time I actually got up and got breakfast made, it was ten o'clock and the boys shoveled in pancakes with alarming joy.
"How do you like your pancakes?" I asked them.
"P is for Perfect," said August.
"Good," said Levon.
"G is for Good," said August.
"S is for smart," said MerMer.
Last night had gone so smoothly. So easily. I texted Jessie when they were asleep that they'd been as good as gold. And they had been! They ate their chicken and dumplings and their purple cows.
Then bath time and no water got sloshed over the edge to flood the floor.
Sorry that's not quite in focus but isn't he precious?
Pajamas were gotten on and we settled down on our bed to read Professor Wormbog and then Levon's choice- The Three Billy Goats Gruff and another story from a book with monsters and trolls in it. He has lately taken to this book and I'm not sure why. The monsters and trolls are rather hideous but they bring him delight.
And then it was into their beds with cozy blankets and BOOM! they were asleep and I stayed awake too long (as it turned out) reading a book I'm reading about the intentional community in India called Auroville. "Better to Have Gone: Love, Death, and the Quest for Utopia in Auroville."
Rather strange book. The deal is, is that both the author and his wife were raised in Auroville and have now returned there to live as adults with their two sons. The place has many of the earmarks of a cult including a charismatic founding leader called "The Mother." I heard an interview with the author on NPR and you know me- tell me a good cult story and I'm a happy girl.
So when Levon woke me up, I'd only been asleep a few hours and today I have been rather exhausted, I must say. But you know- there are far worse reasons to be exhausted than having been cuddled up with a grandchild. I probably kept HIM awake part of the night, kissing his head and tenderly and so very softly tracing his tiny hand with my own old, rough fingers. In the dark, dark part of the night that hand seemed more than miraculous to me. Still a fraction of the size of an adult hand, still so new, really, with all of its nails and knuckles, it's fingertip whirls, its brilliant ability to grasp and pluck and squeeze and hold.
So- you know. It was a little frustrating not being able to get good sleep but it was rather lovely, too.
And then it was into their beds with cozy blankets and BOOM! they were asleep and I stayed awake too long (as it turned out) reading a book I'm reading about the intentional community in India called Auroville. "Better to Have Gone: Love, Death, and the Quest for Utopia in Auroville."
Rather strange book. The deal is, is that both the author and his wife were raised in Auroville and have now returned there to live as adults with their two sons. The place has many of the earmarks of a cult including a charismatic founding leader called "The Mother." I heard an interview with the author on NPR and you know me- tell me a good cult story and I'm a happy girl.
So when Levon woke me up, I'd only been asleep a few hours and today I have been rather exhausted, I must say. But you know- there are far worse reasons to be exhausted than having been cuddled up with a grandchild. I probably kept HIM awake part of the night, kissing his head and tenderly and so very softly tracing his tiny hand with my own old, rough fingers. In the dark, dark part of the night that hand seemed more than miraculous to me. Still a fraction of the size of an adult hand, still so new, really, with all of its nails and knuckles, it's fingertip whirls, its brilliant ability to grasp and pluck and squeeze and hold.
So- you know. It was a little frustrating not being able to get good sleep but it was rather lovely, too.
So that's how it went last night and today had some book-reading and necklace and bracelet making and game playing. The regular stuff. It's Halloween and when they left with their mama, August told me that I did not need to give them a going-away treat because they were going to get lots of candy tonight.
"Save me some," I said.
"Well...we eat it pretty fast," said August.
"Save me some," I said.
"Well...we eat it pretty fast," said August.
And I took a nap this afternoon so no blood, no foul as my husband, the former jock, says.
I haven't started getting Trick or Treat pictures yet but I did get this nice shot of Hank stabbing a pumpkin while watching Rocky Horror Picture Show with his love.
I have not carved a pumpkin in years. I really should though. There is nothing in the world so evocative as the smell of a pumpkin, freshly cut into, and then set to glow with a candle in it. If I did carve a pumpkin, it would be for the pure pleasure of it.
Okay. The pictures are starting to roll in. Here's some of the Weatherfords.
Jessie spent hours and hours on that backhoe. It's all made of boxes. And August makes a very fine rock star. I do believe he's feeling it.
And now the communication between my phone and my MacBook is being wonky. Halloween weirdness? Who knows? So I'll have to post any other pictures I get tomorrow.
Y'all be safe and watch out for razor blades in those apples and make sure that your gummy worms don't have any THC in them! I hear that's the big threat this year.
Who in the world would give away their edibles?
Not anyone I know.
Who in the world would give away their edibles?
Not anyone I know.
Happy Halloween.
Love...Ms. Moon
That backhoe costume is fantastic and, surely, one-of-a-kind!! The rock star is cute as can be, too! So
ReplyDeleteHopefully the boys will save you a little bit of the goodies!
Well, Jessie got the idea and maybe some of the instructions online. Still- it's amazing.
DeleteI did ask August to save me an Almond Joy. "What's an Almond Joy?" he asked. Haha!
we said the exact same thing about edibles....
ReplyDeletexxalainaxx
Right?
DeleteOh my, what a rock star! August has the moves down. And Levon and his backhoe - perfect!!
ReplyDeleteI am about to whip up a batch of homemade oatmeal chocolate chip cookies for the few trick or treaters we may have (guaranteed no THC in ours). We've done this for years, and I have not yet had a child (or parent) refuse one. It's my little part to bring back the neighborliness of Halloween, and frankly any leftovers are MUCH more appealing to us than old candy. :-)
Chris from Boise
Oatmeal chocolate chip cookies are the best. I put raisins and pecans in mine too. That may be going a little too far but we like it like that.
Deleteoh my lord! That back hoe is amazing!
ReplyDeleteI love the first photo of the granny and gramps and the kiddos.
That book is truly one of my favorites. "When the Relatives Came." I beg the children to let me read it to them.
DeleteThe edible thing! It's reached Ireland. For god's sake. What generous stoners they are to drug All The Children.
ReplyDeleteEven my mother in law is at it - having seen the news about it, and having decided that her son is depressed, she then decided that the bag of sweets he told her he'd eaten *must* have been spiked. Not appreciating that that would have made him feel ... happier. I just do not know.
Why do people believe such shite?
DeleteThose kids are adorable! Have a sweet night.
ReplyDeleteThank you, e.
Deletesuch a fun (HA) night! Love the boys costumes, so creative. and my fave is the drawing of the family in bed.......you are there!
ReplyDeleteSusan M
Yep. That's us in that picture. Although my nightgown is hardly that voluminous and to tell the truth, Mr. Moon doesn't even own pajamas!
DeleteThat backhoe is fabulous!! August definitely has the shredding stance and look! Great job, Jessie!
ReplyDeleteXoxo
Barbara
August is such a posing boy! I keep telling Jessie he's going to end up on Broadway.
DeleteAnother fun night! Those guys are such cuties!
ReplyDeleteWe had enough trick-or-treaters that I gave handfuls of candy to so that we only have about 8 pieces left which is just the right amount.
Now we will be zooming to Christmas - yikes!
They are little cuties, aren't they?
DeleteEight pieces does sound like the right amount to have left.
Your observation about Christmas sent me into deep anxiety. Holy shit.
Is August Keith Richards?!?! I love it!!! All of your grandkids are so cute.
ReplyDeleteIt was a nice Halloween at my house. A few trick or treaters, homemade pizza, and I baked cupcakes this afternoon to hand out to some of my neighbors. 🎃
No. He's not Keith per se, I think. Just your generic guitar player.
DeleteYou are such a good neighbor!
How I love "The Three Billy Goats Gruff"! When my kids were little I read it countless times and I have read it to Phoebe a dozen times already. I always feel a little sorry for the troll.
ReplyDeleteAugust looks like a miniature Keith Richard(s)... oh, I see that Jennifer got there before me with that.
I never once felt sorry for that troll. He wanted to eat those goats up! And he fell for their strategy. Not too bright of a troll. I hope the book you're reading to Phoebe doesn't have a troll as scary as the one in the book I have!
DeleteAugust would need a lot more jewelry and a scarf to be Keith, I think.
Yes, Levon is the most beautiful child! He reminds me a little of my No 2 grandson ( who is now 9)
ReplyDeleteHe's a lovely little guy, isn't he?
DeleteLike Jennifer and YP, I definitely think August is doing a Keith Richards. How could he not with MerMer's devotion to KR? :) Jessie did a fabulous job with the back hoe costume.
ReplyDeleteAs for monster books, mine absolutely wore out our copy of Where the Wild Things Are.
August has never really bent to my Rolling Stones enthusiasm.
DeleteHo-hum seems to be his reaction. But perhaps he has picked up a thing or two.
August and Levon don't seem to ever want me to read Where the Wild Things Are. I need to start pushing it harder.
Of course Levon was a backhoe. And August has definitely got the rock star thing down. I too stayed up way too late last night reading though my book is fiction about a series of gruesome murders.
ReplyDeleteI know! Levon had to be a backhoe. That's all there is to it!
DeleteIn the book I'm reading, people are gobsmacked when their guru dies. They truly thought she would not. Ever.
I love that first photo of the book. That's what it feels like sleeping with kids:)
ReplyDeleteThe photos are lovely and everyone looks like they're enjoying themselves. I'll have to take a look online, how to make a backhoe costume. I know someone who would like that.
Yes. That pretty much expresses the joy of sleeping with little children.
DeleteI bet that Jack would love to be a backhoe next Halloween!
That dump truck Jessie made should be patented! The design is perfect. And whoa, August sure is an authentic rocker dude. I wonder where he got his inspiration lol? It's nice to see Hank, too.
ReplyDeleteJessie got the idea online so it's already out there. But it's awesome, isn't it?
DeleteI'm sure that August totally got into his character. He's showing signs of some pretty dramatic leanings.
WOW, that backhoe!!!! Kudos to momma!
ReplyDeleteI agree!
DeleteThat backhoe costume is AMAZING. Levon will remember that and talk about it all his life! And August is worthy of membership in Van Halen.
ReplyDeleteI think I read something about that Auroville book. I'd never heard of the place but it did sound intriguing!
I hope that Levon remembers his backhoe. At least there will be photographic evidence to trigger his memory. August does look like a little rocker, doesn't he?
DeleteYou might like the Auroville book. It's pretty interesting. I never have really understood some people's need to live with a bunch of other people to try and create a Utopia. I mean...why? You know it's not going to work.