I just had to share a snap of me and Mike; a most major love of my life! He was cold in the shade, and placed himself in my lap for warmth, his cold, bare of course, feet in my legs for heat (he was doing this feet rocking thing that I do (nature v. nurture?) which tickled my fancy in a big way). Soon after this photo was taken, he snuggled in really really close, I wrapped my arms and sweater around him, and it was heaven for a while as he warmed up...he's amazing [thank you Katiebug..]!
 Later that day I had another joyful moment with Mike, with Hannah and Robyn joining later. Mike was being pretty much left out by "the girls", and after an incident inside, he had been given a blanket to sit on in Jenny & Will's large lovely lawn overlooking the sparlking rays reflected from Homes Harbor. After making sure with Katie that he was not in a "time out", I joined him.... Mike had found a very very fuzzy yellow and black caterpillar. I mean it was FUZZZY and on the short side, so instead of being one of the many "moths" that have decided to lite in our yards here on Whidbey, eating leaves up before they can bloom, I think this was the "real deal"; a soon to be butterfly. It's pretty amazing how softly this 4+ year old held and carried this caterpillar, and then allowed it to move from his arms, feet, legs, shoulders, body to mine, and keep it alive! He named it "Fuzzy Caterpillar" and it's last name was "CatRace". He got more and more excited by it's antics, and said "I love this caterpillar!"...and despite his enthusiasm, he still managed to hold it gently. Robyn stopped by and when I asked her if she wanted to hold a caterpillar, and asked Mike if he'd share, despite his ready assent Robyn was too frightened to try. Soon Hannah joined us, with no compunctions about handling caterpillars, and she went to find her own. It was long and thin, and she said his name was "Crawly". She didn't want Mike to hold it, even while she grabbed leaves to cover the grass knoll she made on the blanket. "This is the bridge" she declared! Robin decided it was ok to try having a caterpillar placed on her hand, as long as she covered it up with her sweatshirt she wore. It only took a few times before she decided she needed one too, and it wasn't long before "Crawly II" joined our entourage. I heard my name called from the deck, telling me that it was time for us to go. Mom was headed for the car, and Gordy on his way to get me moving. Before Gordy arrive though, Robyn pulled back the arm of her sweatshirt, and gamely allowed Crawly II to be placed in her hand. I was sooooo pleased at her bravery and her allowing Crawly II to be directly on her hand! I gave her a big bear hug, and said my goodbyes to everyone at the shower who were still there. What a day, and what moments that made it wonderful, including watching Robyn tackle her fear!
I even got one more big hug from Mike and Robyn before we took off for home. Sigh ;-). ..Pax PS I made sure to tell the kids that when the Caterpillar comes out of it's cacoon, it will emerge transformed into a Cat of course!
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