Valentine's Day, Tripping Up, And Falling

This week started off with Valentine's Day on Monday, which Russell and I ordinarily don't really observe (Valentine's Day, not Monday - Monday we just sort of tolerate every week). As with just about every other facet of life, this holiday is imbued with new (uncynical) meaning and fun when seen through a child's eyes. Sunday we gave Henry a (henceforth mandatory) heart-shaped box of chocolates (Wonka assortment, delicious...I know this because I ate approximately one third of them), and both boys got soft stuffed bears, which were a moderate hit. On Monday afternoon, Henry, Charlie, and I went with friends to a Valentine's Day dance in East Nashville. The dance was organized by an East Nashville moms' group in order to raise money for a community garden project, and in exchange for a small donation, we were given some basil seeds to plant at home. (Which reminds me that the seeds are still buried in their paper packet at the bottom of my purse/diaper bag somewhere, along with a small village.) The basil seed thank you gesture dovetails nicely with Henry's spice hobby, in which he displayed a resurgence of interest this week. There were lots of kids at the dance, and Henry surprised me by showing off a few moves, in between bouts of balloon-chasing. Charlie mostly chewed on a balloon, looked cute, and played with his girlfriend's shoes.

The highlight of the day (and possibly of any Valentine's Day) for me, though, came after the dance, when we went to eat at Rosepepper Cantina and were seated at a table right next to Todd Snider, whose albums I have spent the last year or so familiarizing myself with. He was having what I assume was intended to be a quiet, romantic Valentine's Day dinner with his wife, but unfortunately for them, they were seated in what the restaurant must have designated its kiddy/celebrity corner (of the three tables in this small corner, one was occupied by Mr. Snider, one by our party with its three tots, and one by a party at the table just behind us with a few more toddlers). I don't know if his dinner was romantic, but it definitely wasn't quiet. So anyway, I positioned myself at a seat where I could discreetly steal repeated glances at him while holding Charlie in my lap for cover. Naturally Charlie, who smiles at everyone, stared openly and smiled at Todd Snider (I had a chat with him later about celebrities and respecting their need for privacy), who smiled back with what I assume were whitened teeth. They were really very white. Then Todd Snider spoke to me - "He's adorable" - at which point I blurted out that the boys recognized him from a bit part he sang on a Farmer Jason video on public television. "From what?" Todd Snider asked, puzzled. "Uh, you know, Farmer Jason..." Finally he laughed and said "Oh yeah!" I hurried to add that we were also fans of his actual legitimate adult music, but that may have sounded too much like an afterthought to accurately convey my enthusiasm for his music. Oh well. I tried to get Russell to admit that he had arranged for Todd Snider to sit next to us as a Valentine's Day gift to me, but he is modest and claimed he knew nothing about it.

The rest of the week involved a mix of play dates and trips to the park. (Finally, we can get back outdoors! My very soul is glad.) Thursday we went into Nashville with friends and played at Centennial Park, which has two contiguous play areas, one for younger children and one for "big boys" like Henry. Henry got to play with his buddy Parker, whom he has known since the boys were six months old. Henry was as active on the playground as I've ever seen him, climbing up the various metal ladders on the play structure and sliding down even the highest, most spiraling slides. Charlie played a little--when I let him out of my arms to do so--but I just don't feel he's quite ready for climbing yet. As evidenced by the fact that when I set him at the bottom of a toddler slide, he promptly fell headlong onto the ground three inches below, landing on his head and making absolutely no attempt to brace his fall with his hands. His noggin absorbed the entire impact. I felt awful, he felt worse, and we jointly decided we'd wait a while before we set him loose on a park again. After the park, we met Russell for lunch at Woodlands, our favorite Indian restaurant. I'm proud and not at all surprised to report that both boys enjoy Indian food. I attribute this to their having had it so much in utero.

Finally, images of some of the indoor diversions we came up with this week: