Stories from the Stringam Family Ranches of Southern Alberta

From the 50s and 60s to today . . .



Sunday, January 29, 2012

Hands On Reunions

Mark. In cleaner times.

Family reunions.
The renewing of ties.
An opportunity to get re-acquainted.
Catch up on family accomplishments.
Additions.
Losses.
Nestle once more in the warm embrace of kin.
Our eldest son, Mark's first reunion occurred when he was eighteen months old.
He was getting around under his own steam very well.
And this outdoor wiener roast/party was a perfect time for him to practice his skills.
For several hours, he wandered around the site.
Exploring.
Eating.
Getting filthy.
All the things that make a little boy so very happy.
He played with the host family's spaniel, Frodo.
Gorged on hot dogs.
Sampled all of the pot luck dishes.
Spit out the baked beans.
Another story.
Slurped up watermelon.
And laid sole claim to the marshmallows.
He was a happy, filthy little boy.
He toddled over to me, all smiles and dirt.
I dusted him off for the hundredth time and set him on my knee.
Only to discover that his fingers were stuck together.
Really.
I think it was the marshmallows.
Might have been helped along by the watermelon.
I'm sure there was at least one form of chocolate.
But those little, busy fingers were all fused together.
And Mark was happily making his rounds using paddles.
Or flippers.
I will admit they were still effective.
He was managing to accomplish a fair bit of eating and playing.
But I thought that, as a concerned mom, I should probably do something.
I went for a wipe.
But I hadn't counted on his ingenuity.
While I was digging through the diaper bag, he went for the nearest water source.
Frodo's bowl.
I wish I could say that this was shortly after the bowl had been filled.
And was still pristine and untouched by anything 'canine'.
I can't.
By the time I had returned with the antiseptically clean towelette, he had already taken care of business.
In the decidedly unhygienic dog bowl.
Ick.
And was back on his rounds, little fingers freed for business.
He was happy.
And Frodo loved the watermelon/marshmallow/chocolate/hot dog flavoured water.
Everyone was happy.
Except me.

14 comments:

  1. Just sitting here chuckling.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Admit it, you're proud of such an ingenious little guy. I'll bet you told him that while you nailed him with the wipe, just in case.

    ReplyDelete
  3. what a cute little guy lol
    Just needs lots of kisses. :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. AWwww... no harm done though? Everyone lived to tell the tale?? So ... where's the problem?!?!?!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Everyone lived. Child. Dog. Mom. It was a good reunion!!!

      Delete
  5. Yuck. ie! That makes me do the "yuck" face and shiver... Those kinds of things always grossed me out when my kids would accidentally do that sort of thing. :) Thankfully, Mark survived! haha

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yep. I know the 'yuck face' to a quiver! Sometime our kids survive, despite us! :)

      Delete
  6. Diane, I took one look at Mark's photo and knew that there's nothing this little guy could do that could make me angry! OMG, what a cutie! And the dog did benefit from Mark's actions! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He was my little cutie! Hard to believe he's an old man now with 3 1/2 kids of his own!!!
      And you're right. The dog thought he was in heaven! Hot dog/marshmallow/watermelon flavoured water? Nectar from the dog-gods!

      Delete
  7. Diane, I just love visiting you here! Your stories are timeless. I can always find something with which to identify. And they always make me smile. Do you know what a gift that is? Well, I suppose I just told you! Thank you. For this sweet post which reminds me so strongly of my own experiences with two little boys. And for a genuine smile at the end of a very hard week. Smiles!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Amy! I love the stories of family! And if my stories can remind others of their stories, my joy is complete! Thank you for visiting!

      Delete

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