At first when we moved to our neighborhood, we lived on a quiet street. We lived in a quiet neighborhood as well, which was due to the number of empty lots and un-built houses surrounding our general area. We had land (although it wasn't ours,) and we had quiet (although it was lonely at times).
Now, we have noisy, busy, messy construction all over the place. And I'm not just talking about the tremendous amount of construction happening all around us. There's construction and all the messy mess that comes with it, the nails in the tires and the muddy streets and the noise. But it's glorious noise because it means neighbors, friends and playmates.
At first we had one playmate, Madison, who is right between my two children in age. She then had a little brother and other younger children moved onto our street. As the houses were completed, more small and young children arrived and the existing children were happy. The parents were happy too as we'd meet out on the street by random happenstance after a meal or during "beer hour" on Saturday evening--I just made up "beer hour" but if there is such a thing, you can bet my neighbors and I will be part of the event.
The children would run up and down the street in their little push plastic cars or inch worms or wagons. In short order some children a few years older moved in and then there were battery-powered cars that my two children looked at with awe. They got to ride in them and my son has even learned how to drive one of them now. It's a happy neighborhood.
Then, within the past two months, two more houses have become occupied and it's changed the dynamic once again. This time, these children (six in total) are all older. They can play on the street without a parent there to warn them to watch out for cars and to make sure everyone is playing nicely together. And these kids are all friendly and like small children too.
My son was watching with big eyes as the older children rode bikes up and down the street and chased each other on skateboards. He excitedly wanted to be involved, although he couldn't pedal that fast on his push-motorcycle.
We have only one house left that's not occupied and those two children will be part of this older, more independent group of children. All in all, with eleven houses on our street, we have nineteen children, enough for fun for all ages.
The Big Boy Update: Throwing. He is throwing things to keep them away from you, me or anyone that wants the item. Or, just for the fun of throwing. It's not safe or appropriate and we're working on it.
The Tiny Girl Chronicles: I want out. She wanted to go out the back door, but it wasn't a good time. She saw me come in and turn the bolt behind me. A few minutes later I saw her lugging her dinner table chair across the room. What was she doing? Oh, she was pulling it up to the back door so she could reach the deadbolt knob. And she successfully unbolted the door. Sadly though, she doesn't have hands large enough to turn the handle yet to get out.
Fitness Update: A quick three mile run this afternoon in less than broiling hot summer weather, which was nice for a change.
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