Thursday, July 15, 2010

The Great Binky Give Up - Phase Three

Today we packed up half the house and moved this circus to Golden Gardens Park, which is as beachy as Seattle gets. Little Sir was torn, he was excited to go to the beach (sand and water are his two favorite forms of matter) but he knew why we were going, and he wasn't very excited about that.
I knew that we had to get the Mimi business out of the way first thing so we could enjoy the rest of the day. Little Sir was not as ready to get down to business.

Photobucket

This was his reaction very soon after arrival when I told him it was time. He recovered quickly, though.

Photobucket

He "held his Mimi in his mouth" for a few moments while holding onto the little boat that would carry it away to the new baby who lived far away.

Photobucket

He placed the Mimi in the boat along with some special pretty rocks we picked out on our way down to the water as a present for the baby. (Rocks are his third favorite form of matter, and more readily available than sand and water, which is a major bonus.)

Photobucket

He held the boat for a few moments to say goodbye,

Photobucket

Then he place the boat on the ground near the water and told me that the water would come to take it away. (Yes, my child understands tides, he is brilliant.)

Photobucket

He turned

Photobucket

and walked away.

Photobucket

His understanding of tides is still limited and it was clear that the tide was going out, so I offered to walk it out into the water for him.

Photobucket

He agreed and stood on the beach to watch me as I walked it out about 20 feet. (I did NOT want it to come back!)


Photobucket

Away it sailed.

Photobucket

If you look close (or click through to photobucket and look at the full size photo) you can see an orange speck floating out to sea.



When I came back I didn't ask him how he felt, it was heartbrakingly clear. I just snapped a series of photos as he watched the boat sail away.


Photobucket

We quietly ate lunch and after a while I told him I was very proud of him. He said "Yeah, I'm a big boy, but I'm still sad." And then I shoved a hand full of sand down my throat to make myself feel better.
The seagulls helped lighten the mood. I started throwing the remains of Little Sir's sandwich up in the air and they would catch them in mid air while putting on the Seagull version of an ultimate fighting match. It was very impressive, especially for the boy.

Photobucket

Little Sir decided to get in on the action and spent some quality time chasing seagulls.

Photobucket

He was much happier when he returned.

Photobucket

Then we built a sand castle together.

Photobucket

He dutifully destroyed it.

Photobucket

Later I took him for an ice cream cone and for awhile all was right with the world.

He fell asleep in the car without the assistance of a Mimi but was rudely awoken by a hungry little brother who screamed half of the way home from Golden Gardens. There were some tantrums and tears over the Mimi and after some time I decided to skip the nap.

Tonight I put tomorrow's Mimi on his pillow for him to use when he went to sleep. However, I told him that he could only use it while he was actually in bed. He could also choose to come sit with me in the big red rocking chair and I would rock him and sing him songs, but the Mimi could not come. He held the Mimi in his mouth for just a few seconds, then threw it back on the bed and joined me on the rocking chair. He fell asleep not long after as I rocked him and sang to him, no fuss, no tears, and no Mimi! I am so proud of him and I think we are both going to be OK.

4 comments:

  1. I'm not sure I'm going to be ok! My heart is breaking! Tell him he can come live with Aunt Kerstin and have all the Mimi's he wants!!!

    I'm proud of you, you are doing a wonderful job. You are a fantastic mother!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Once again, a beautiful way to say good-bye. I have a feeling he'll hold on to theses memories.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous9:41 AM

    This is so precious, thank you for sharing the transition (and your graceful direction of it) with all of us! He is, indeed, a big boy. And you both are, of course, going to be (more than) okay. A big boy, and his very loving mama. /hugs

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh, so sad and so wonderful all at the same time. I of course am crying wishing I could give my big boy a hug and you too.

    ReplyDelete