Venturing Out

Yesterday was such a great day for Bow, that he did not even ask to go outside once, and he did not mind the snow at all. He had a party, guests and great food. There was no time to feel cooped up. Some of that carried over this morning, because there were still presents to open and play with.

There was the balloon that Laurie had given Bow.

There was his new berber carpet mat. It looked just like the carpet in the living room.

And then there was the brand new pair of socks I got him.

However, late in the afternoon, all this novelty began to wear off, and Bow asked to go outside. I said okay, but I did not really think he would go through with it, because there was still snow. Lots of snow.

Bow surprised me. Without once touching the ground, he went out.

He admired the view. He sampled the snow on the horizontal support.

He turned this way and that, but he never once set foot on the ground.

And when he decided it was time to come back inside, he did so with one quick bound, landing safely indoors.

Playing with Socks

I hate socks. They make me uncomfortable and sweaty, and I seldom wear them. But when it's really cold, and I am going for a walk outside, there is some advantage to heavy socks within my boots. Yesterday Bow saw me come back from my walk, take off my boots and remain in socks. He got very excited, and he beckoned me to approach, so he could examine my socks. Did I mention that he loves to see anything we wear on our feet?

Bow likes to take off my socks, one by one, then put one on, while using the other as a ball.

He did this several times yesterday.

Now, before you ask why I don't just give Bow a pair of socks of his own, I can tell you that he will not keep the socks on for long. For Bow, this is a fun game, but it would be torture to have to keep the socks on for any length of time. He feels the same way about clothes. He likes clothes, even likes trying them on, but they won't stay on for long.

When Bow was little he wore clothes, but as soon as he was big enough to make the decision for himself, he chose to do without. Bow remembers those days. We sometimes look at old pictures together.

Growing up means separating and individuating and choosing what to keep and what to discard from the traditions of your childhood.  In this, Bow is no different from anyone else.