Walks with Damon

     I'm guessing this will be the first of many similiar posts about funny things my 4-yr old says and does.  He is very literal, and exploring his imagination at the same time.  He is also learning appropriate social skills (eye contact when talking, respecting personal space, etc.).  All of these provide many opportunities to chuckle.  This is the tale of our most recent journey to lour local supermarket to purchase a snack.  The 4 1/2 mile round-trip walk provided a great outlet for Damon's seemingly boundless energy, and some much needed "Mommy and Son" time.


    Argueably, one of the biggest things Damon has been missing since Alivia's birth last year has been alone-time with his Mama.  Oh, don't get me wrong.  Damon loves his little sister, and she adores him.  He just doesn't always want to share me.  And no doubt, he gained a great deal of time with me when I traded my office job for mountains of laundry, sinkfulls of dirty dishes, and piles of diapers when Alivia was born.  I'm with him more now than I ever was during his first 3 years...but Alivia is always there too.  Alivia still naps--a lot.  So there are windows of time when we get to spend time working on various projects...but Damon wants...needs...more
     So over the past few weeks, Damon and I have been going for walks, while Alivia stays home to play with Daddy.  Most of the time we just walk through our neighborhood, often stopping at the playground.  But tonight we decided to venture into town in search of a snack at our local grocery store. 
      On our walk Damon was wearing his Pittsburgh Steelers Jersey.  The #7 to be exact.  The Jersey provided a good conversation starter for him with some teenagers who were sitting on their front steps.   Damon has recently taken an interest in football...especially anything Steelers.  But he also like the Colts, and the Giants.  But mosty just Steelers. 
     Some of the funny things Damon did tonight (and things only a 4-yr old can get away with) were these:  As we walked past one particular house, Damon spied a cat in a window.  He walked right up to the window (nose-touching the glass) to get a better look...much to the surprise of the family sitting inside!!!  At another house he saw a scooter that he liked sitting on a front porch.  He walked right up on the portch to check it out. 
   But the best parts of these walks are the conversations.  Tonight's walk did not disappoint. 
     "I'm the real Ben Roethlisberger, you know," Damon announced (his imagination at its best).
     "Oh really?" I asked.   "Shouldn't you be at football camp practicing for football season?"
     "Huh.  I'm Big Ben.  I don't need to practice, Mama!"


     As we headed home, the conversations turned to affirmations of my love, his questions about God, life, and the moon.
    I'm certain there will be more walks with Damon.  More big ideas.  More questions.  I wouldn't trade it for anything.