Old Friends

We have had a couple of quiet days at home, which have been a wonderful contrast to the earlier days of the summer vacation. We have been sleeping in and staying in our pyjamas till noon, doing quiet projects and enjoying the fact that we don't have to be anywhere or do anything. I have taken special pleasure in these moments because I am keenly aware of how soon they will end, as we get back into the routine of work and school, ballet, swimming and Baha'i activities.

As a short break, and as the kids were beginning to show signs of cabin fever, I took them to a park where we were able to pay a visit to a couple of interesting characters we haven't seen in awhile. We made a quick stop at the grocery store to buy milk and sour cream (for an allegedly sumptuous New York style cheesecake that I am determined to make...to perfection) and some carrots (for the friends).

Alice and Lynda, as the pony and llama are respectively called by the girls, were most pleased to see us. They were even more pleased that we had brought snacks (Alice is actually scrounging bits of masticated carrots from between Lynda's toes and, as you can see by Alice's tummy, they are simply wasting away.)

The girls and I had a good chuckle over Lynda's table manners (or lack thereof). Anisa was substantially impressed that the llama could nosh on the entire carrot without choking or letting it fall. She also learned, though not for lack of trying, that llamas don't play 'fetch' as they apparently have far more amusing things to do, like standing and staring. You never know, Anisa is nothing if not persistent, she may train Lynda yet.

Ruhi, while taking some interest in Lynda, was far more devoted to Alice, as she (being a pony) resembles a horse. Ruhiyyih's all time favourite creature to ever walk the earth. While the girls were competing to see which one of them the animals liked best, I sat on a bench to watch the drama unfold (and to keep a close eye on Bayan, who was sleeping in the car). Sometimes I love just observing the children from afar, watching them interact and listening to them play. I find it often illumines a few grey areas that we might be dealing with and offers insights into the ways that they perceive the world and their places in it... Fascinating. Anyway, here are two of my very favourite people in the whole world perched on a hay stack before heading to the car

where we were greeted by the resonating snores of one deeply slumbering toddler.