An unadventurous weekend

An unadventurous weekend

By Allan Olson

After a birthday party last weekend, it was great to have just “us” at home this weekend for a relaxing two days.

We didn’t do much, and the kids still managed to annoy me by either not listening (yes, they occasionally choose not to listen) or just plain being a pest.

On Saturday morning, I cut down a rotting tree in my yard. I had the kids help clean up the mess made by cutting it down. I had to explain to them – multiple times – that if the bark and other debris didn’t get picked up, it would hurt my lawn mower.

We won’t get into the details of how long it took to cut down one simple tree and the struggle I endured to accomplish that task, but ultimately I won the battle, and I didn’t get injured, other than a small cut on one finger. Let’s just say that I’m not a lumberjack, either.

Like most kids, they kept trying to avoid the real work, but then wanted to help with the stuff they weren’t strong enough to do. Abigail insisted that she help carry the wood into our shed, which slowed down the process. Alivia wanted to roll the wood into the shed, so I had to put the wood on the ground for her to roll. I guess I was at fault, since I did want them to help. Eventually the work got done.

The next project was to move some piles of dirt left in the yard by the previous occupants to the driveway. I did the shoveling; the kids made sure it was packed down so it would be harder to get out.

They did help unload the dirt with their hands, feet and buckets, while I tried not to hit their toes with my shovel. Those two “little” projects ended up taking much longer than I anticipated, but we did get them done and with only the normal amount of complaining, so the kids and I took a quick road trip.

I decided to check out an area lake I had heard about, and the kids decided to get wet once I found it. It was a great way to relax for a few minutes in the heat of the late afternoon sun.

Then came lunch, followed by a short nap. I was going to venture out to do some mowing. The kids told me it was raining; I looked out and didn’t believe them. They went downstairs; I went outside. They were right; I was wrong. It was raining.

I contemplated what I was going to do next. I knew had a book inside the front entry, but I feared that I would be spotted and my quiet time would be no more if I went inside for it. I looked around the garage and spotted a tote full of books that had yet to make it indoors from our move. I dove in, selecting a classic western by Louis L’Amour, an author I hadn’t read in years.

I started reading in the solitude of my garage. That solitude had lasted about ten minutes when I spotted Abi coming out the front door. I held my breath. She went back in, and I went back to the book. Less than a couple minutes later, the door opened again, and this time I didn’t escape her gaze.

She ran at me laughing, “I was calling for you! Didn’t you hear me?”

“No, I didn’t,” I said. Even if I had, I wouldn’t have answered.

My solitude ended, but the laughter began, as her antics while “sitting” in a chair kept me greatly entertained. I found the book harder to read with her around. We were soon joined by the rest of the gang, and the peaceful reading for the evening ended.

As a prelude to the weekend, our comedian Marcus informed us on Friday evening that he is no longer a twin (even though he and his sister are still the same age and share a birthday), and he is not going to school this year. Instead, he is going to stay home with Mommy until he is six, and Daddy is going to be his teacher.

On Sunday evening, Abigail also shared with us that her future career plan is to be a teacher.

Life sure is interesting raising four children.