deceptive

This idyllic, Norman Rockwellesque photo of boys playing in our backyard captures a delightful winter scene.  Boys from around the neighborhood gathered on the "pond" in the back for a spontaneous game of hockey.  Boys with sticks brought them, boys who didn't have sticks used snow shovels. There was no ref, no score board and no fancy uniforms but there was hours of fun.
Younger boys drifted to our yard and started building igloos and throwing snowballs.  This mom looked out of the window and smiled.  This is what living in a neighborhood is like.  This is one of the perks of being a stay at home mom, to be there to see the magic of childhood, to enjoy a sunny snow day, to make cocoa and knock snow off boots and shake it off of gloves and drape said items over vents and over chairs so they will be ready for next time.

Ethan is one of the boys in the younger group.  This boy of  mine is such a delight, he's always been good and cheerful and obedient.  He likes to read out loud with his mom, talk to his parents, and do well in school and in sports.  .....But.....recently....there have been some changes.  It started slowly and innocently.  He started to grow out of clothes and shoes at an alarming rate, almost reaching the stature of his mother.  His man muscles began to manifest themselves as he now runs a little faster, throws a little harder.

So all was well outside and I was enjoying glancing out the window from time to time as I paused from my chores to enjoy the fun.  Two groups playing in parallel.  Each in their territory.  When suddenly, was  it a shift in the wind?  a particularly rousing cheer from the ice??  I don't know, but the adolescent primate, newly aware of his growing prowess, due in part to the stink that now comes from his arm pits and soccer gear, the slight deepening of his voice,  (Not to mention the need to be right and tell people what to do, including how to drive (me, because obviously he's much more competent at it than I), how to dress (his sister) and how to chew (the other sister). ) and a confidence that comes from needing to shave a hint of a whisker off his upper lip on Sunday mornings. Anyway, whatever the trigger something changed and all of a sudden a group of bravely foolish middle schoolers gathered ammo (snowballs) and snuck over the little hill to antagonize the hockey players (boys bigger, cooler and holding sticks and shovels...obviously the best choice).

I happened to glance out the window as things became a little heated.  I saw my little Neanderthal leading the charge and a battle ensued.  Snowballs were thrown, water bottles and insults lobbed back.  Maniacal laughter and taunting and shows of dominance displayed.  I hoped that everyone would leave alive but didn't intervene, thinking natural consequences would be best.  Eventually the two groups separated again and no blood was shed.  When did I begin living in an episode of Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom??  When did my sweet boy become so teenagery??

I drew the curtains and went back to folding clothes.  I didn't see this coming.  (head shaking in disbelief)

backyard  fun

In other news: Hannah baked this beautiful cake for Holly for her birthday and since there was no room in the fridge it got to chill outside until we could deliver it. One perk to  our arctic weather!