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Attached, Part 2

October 23rd, 2006

Kenny and Dudley and I were stranded at the house today (the car was in the shop), so both my local family and my visiting relatives came to rescue us from suburban entrapment and spent the day at our house.   Including the three of us, that made for five adults and  four kids age four and under, and one very nervous weimaraner.  

I anticipated that this recipe would make for a fantasy day for Kenny… not only was his Grammy there, but his beloved Aunt Kim, two doting “other” aunts, and three little rugrats all his size.   But for some reason, the suddenly full funhouse was scary for the little guy, and he spent the better part of the day clinging to my pantleg.   When he did start to play, he made sure that I was in his sights, or he would turn wailing and crying and run to find me.  

I’m a little perplexed by this new behavior.   Up until recently, Kenny was Mr. Social, life-of-the-party and all around easy-going kid.   My cousin, mom to 17-month-old Olivia, suggested that I get out more with Kenny: playgroups, Kindermusik or whatever it might be, and get him used to being with different kinds of people in different situations.   Now this sounds like a no-brainer.   Even as she suggested it, I realized that “getting out” is something that I’m not very good at.  

Don’t get me wrong; we get out to run errands or go places nearly everyday.   But due to the location of our house, and the location of the rest of our retail and social destinations, I look at nearly a half-hour drive each way, no matter where I go.   So I’ve fallen into a pattern of getting the “things to do” done and getting my sweet little Kenny home.   To be honest, I feel guilty about having him in the car that much as it is.   Then to consider adding frivolous outings and playdates, we’re talking an hour at minimum in the car everyday.   And I just have trouble justifying that.

The solution?   I really don’t know.   I know deep down that I need to give Kenny a better social life.   I also know that we spend too much time in the car as it is.   It’s a quandry, isn’t it?   I suppose I could work to streamline the necessary outings to make more time to fun ones.   I find myself envious of the Moms I know who can actually walk to a friend’s house, or at the very least, pop in the car for a quick five minute drive to fun places to play and hang out.  

My husband grew up in a small town where everyone knew everyone, all the kids knew which cul-de-sac to meet in for an after-school game of baseball and everyone could  recognize their own mom’s dinner bell.   And even though my family moved constantly when I was a kid, we always had neighborhood friends and nearby parks and playgrounds, no matter which town we were currently living in.   I think I took for granted that when I had kids, we would magically be transfered to a picture-perfect small town paradise where the tree-lined sidewalks were all you needed for transportation to fellowship and socializing.

I need to stop this stream of writing, or I’m going to start writing an essay supporting the re-instatement of communal living.

In other news, Kenny  is still enraptured by Rodney Atkins.   It’s Rodney in the morning, Rodney in the  evening, Rodney at suppertime.   The louder it is, the happier Kenny is, the more adorable his wiggling and the more excited he is to play it again.    He dances, he sings, and he revels in the spirit of American  Country:

  october 13-17 059.jpg

I’ve tried playing other CDs, but he will only tolerate a song or two, then his earnest little face pleads with me to give him more of the good stuff.   I’m thinking of writing a letter to Mr. Atkins and suggesting that he  consider coming over to babysit sometime.   It’s the least he can do.

2 Comments »

  1. Kimmie says

    Cousin Kaitie says, “Come play with me, Kenny!” 😉 She loves to be a helper and “take care” of Kenny. Well, Kristin too… but she ends up pushing him over when she is “guiding” him. :lol::lol::lol: We can make a playdate a 5 min drive from the grocery store you go too… then you can multi-task! I also don’t mind coming out to the beautiful water to sit and play… yesterday was fun!

    October 24th, 2006 | #

  2. Diane says

    hey there! i know my sister donna enjoys her playdates, but unlike yourself she’s not living in the boondocks. what ever group she is part of though, each mother alternates at their own house. with the size group she’s involved in, there is always a place to go each day of the month. perhaps you can sacrifice an hour drive once a week, and then hope other mothers will do the same for you. good luck chica! kisses to your adorable boys 🙂

    October 26th, 2006 | #

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