Sunday, July 09, 2006
4th of July
For the 4th of July, we went up to my in-laws place on Camano Island. As so often happens when we go out somewhere, I spent much of the time following around after Timothy, trying to keep him out of trouble (and danger). As I was roaming around the neighborhood, trying to keep Timothy off other people's decks and from pulling up flowers or putting a handful of rocks in his mouth, I found that I was angry. Much more so than usual.
Later we went over to another house for cake and home-made ice cream. I spent twenty minutes trying to keep Timothy from climbing into (or drinking out of) the wading pool in the back yard. Then I went in and told my wife I was tired of trying to keep him out of the pool and it was her turn to take over.
Later, we set off firecrackers. Timothy actually seemed to enjoy it. I was expecting him to run away from the noise, but he stuck close and watched the fireworks pretty closely. I was really struck by the unfairness of it all, and the extra burden that we're stuck with. I didn't get to talk with people much, because I had to follow him around all the time. Normally, kids that require this much supervision aren't this mobile and can't wander as far, climb over as many things, and get into as much trouble on their own.
Later we went over to another house for cake and home-made ice cream. I spent twenty minutes trying to keep Timothy from climbing into (or drinking out of) the wading pool in the back yard. Then I went in and told my wife I was tired of trying to keep him out of the pool and it was her turn to take over.
Later, we set off firecrackers. Timothy actually seemed to enjoy it. I was expecting him to run away from the noise, but he stuck close and watched the fireworks pretty closely. I was really struck by the unfairness of it all, and the extra burden that we're stuck with. I didn't get to talk with people much, because I had to follow him around all the time. Normally, kids that require this much supervision aren't this mobile and can't wander as far, climb over as many things, and get into as much trouble on their own.
