I Can Tell That We Are Gonna Be Friends.

We had the most amazing walk today. I wish I had pictures to prove it, but I opted to leave the camera at home and just look at you, be with you, instead. I got a few before we headed out though.

First we found a stick. You like to say, "Hike, hike, hike, hike" while you walk with a stick.

After playing in the snow a bit in front of an unfriendly old lady's house, your sock-mittens were wet. So, we removed them and you were ready for a ride in the Ergo.

On we went, to the gas station by our house. On this leg of the journey, there were dogs, and you said "Emma!" when you saw them. They looked like Wyatt & Joy's dog, Emma, but they were not her.

We got asked if we needed a ride by a friendly red-neck with a big truck. I showed him you on my back and said, "He likes this!" He did not look convinced.

Alas, we arrived at the gas station and you wanted down. After asking, "What's this?" to every cellophane bag marked 2/1.00 you returned to an old faithful: the Blow-Pop. A Sucker and GUM! Always been a hit with me, too!

You chose Sour Apple Green and I think mostly for the color because later you chose a brown Tootsie Pop for your dad and 2 pink Blow-Pops for me and Berea.

We paid for our suckers, went outside, and then I decided we needed a USA Today to read about Salinger's death. You put the quarters in.

You wanted to keep walking instead of be in the carrier on the way back, but you did want me to hold your hand. I liked that. With the other hand, you held your sucker. I kept mine in my mouth mostly.

We saw two barns, a frozen pond, and icicles. You learned the word Icicle, but were uninterested in holding one. "That's cold."

Some guy stopped at the stop sign and told us about a sledding accident involving the hood of a car that he was involved in in 1950something. It is too graphic to even re-tell here, and I am glad you were two so you won't remember.

We saw a green tractor and stopped to watch it pass. A few trucks. And then another tractor. Then we heard a "Wahoo!!!!!" and I realized we were near the hill where I'd gone sledding the first time in my life. Better than roller-coasters, I decided then. Can't wait to take you some day.

It took exactly the time from the gas station to our house to finish the Blow-Pop. And to understand how blessed and lucky I am to have you making me walk slower and see. Like an art teacher would tell you to see, you make me see.