Puppies on the back porch

I had a very nice walk with E this afternoon. It has been warm lately as well as a bit breezy. E was dressed in a beautiful sun dress and looked like I hope to remember her for many years to come. As we set out, we headed off in her regular direction, down the driveway and hang a left. We got around the next sidewalk corner (left) then I had to stop and pick some weeds growing where I had brought in some dirt earlier in the spring. Well, after a couple minutes (honest) we set off up the way presumably toward aunt L's house where she loves to go. I stopped just past our neighbors house and suggested that we maybe change things up and go to the swing, she agreed.

As we walked along through the grass, we we mostly quiet then I started doing what M and I often do, sing... My singing is typically to a familiar tune E knows but I tend to change the lyrics. When I start to sing, E will often respond quickly with "SShhh! no daddy, no singing" With a short pause, I will again try to break into song and see what she will tolerate. Well, this time it took three times in order for me to get going. The tune of choice was one of M's favorites currently. "TAXI" This goes... "Taxi taxi riding in the back seat, roll the windows up, roll the windows down...." Well, after two chorus', I per typical started adding different words. I like to try sometimes relate my rambling songs to a current situation or person or what have you. This time, there were dogs barking from a distance so I added them to the song. Puppies Puppies barking on the back porch, tie the puppies up ... You get the idea.

After the songs, I pushed E on the swing for honestly 20 to 25 minutes in which time we had some quiet conversation about the breeze, birds, gardens, and more. The part I liked best was just watching her hair all afluff and seeing her smile peek out every once in a while. After a time, she fell more silent and I recognized a tired stare in her eyes. As she was a bit tired, I got to carry her part of the way home but now she wants to do all for herself... to be expected, so I put her down and we went home.

Arriving home, she was indeed tired and certainly hungry so M enticed her in for some "Brooklyn Style" pizza, which soon led to E reading fitfully for her afternoon nap.

I truly had a wonderful time, I was relaxed and more importantly enjoyed some time with E.