Nana and Grandpa's Yard

My parents live on 5 acres of bush. They have several ponds and pathways that my parent's have beautifully landscaped throughout the property. We go to 'Nana and Grandpa's' house for dinner weekly, but are usually indoors. My parent's host a lot of extended family gatherings and if the weather is good, we are outside. Being outside with 5 acres of freedom has often been a BIG challenge for us with Marshall. He LOVES being near the water. Throwing rocks into the ponds is one of M's greatest joys.

In the past, as i was all day yesterday, i was worried. Worried that i'd have to say 'no' too many times which would trigger screaming, uncontrollable screaming, in front of an audience of family. It has happened many times. There have been many hard outside days at my parents'. BUT...yesterday we celebrated with my Opa for Father's Day and Marshall did... AWESOME! We headed across the line just after lunch and Marshall took about an hour nap in the car on our way back to Canada, and to my parents' place. Marshall's after-nap behaviour can go either way, especially when it is just a shorter car nap.

M tried to run over to the ponds when we first took him out of the van, but we brought him inside to get his mind off of that idea and it worked. As everyone came, the party moved outside. Marshall did try to run over to the main pond and i had to run after him, tell him "no water" which got him yelling and laying on the soggy moss. But i got him up and held his hand as we walked to the backyard and away from the pond. He was mad and was crying/yelling. But i told him again, "no" and "all done water" and miraculously, he joined his cousins and played in the backyard THE REST OF THE EVENING!!!

He was SO HAPPY and super giddy. He would come into the middle of the gathered circle of people and he was just being a total show-off! This is not the first we have seen of him enjoying being the center of attention, but it was definitely the first time this group of family got to see it.

It was so amazing to actually be able to sit back, relax, and enjoy the company around me... and to watch my son interact with everyone! My parents even made a fire after dinner to roast marshmellows (and to rid ourselves of the lurking mosquitos). Marshall, who doesn't always understand the dangers of heat, stayed his distance. He sat with Grandpa who he calls "Papa" and together they roasted a marshmellow... M's first doing that and he even ate it after! All day i have been continually reflecting on the entire family gathering and how wonderful it was to see Marshall just being a typical kid. Running, playing, laughing, engaging. I must take note of these amazing moments as they help to get me through the less than amazing ones :) A good day.