[vash]

i dont know what to think about myself. either i will be the most AWFUL parent, or the best and raise very independent capable kids. (moot point, since i wasnt blessed with kids)

my head is still reeling from my weekend with super protective parents. i needed "quiet time" so i put on a jacket for a walk around the snowy lake. the 4-year old girl wanted to go with me. "ookaaay". parents snapped into action, dressing the kid in base layers, mid layers, waterproof layer, windproof layers, head mitts, hand mitts, boots, gaiters..you get the point.

i said, "that kid is going to melt"

me, for reference: rubber boot, regular socks, synthetic pants, merino shirt, puffy jacket, gloves, ball cap. it was cold, but i know moving about warms a human.

the door opens, and that kid was shot out of a cannon.."SNOW!!!!!"..she ran off without her gloves. mom, pleaded.."run and catch her, get her gloves on".. i put the hellion's gloves into my pocket..and wait. first snowball, the kid comes running back..where are my gloves? saved me a run.

the kid had a good time. i showed her how her snow pants are slippery down snowy slopes for fun sliding. showed her how to trudge thru other's foot prints to make walking easier. the kid kept falling down on purpose to get me to pick her up..NOPE..she quit fake falling quickly when she got zero attention from me (her dad would come sprinting). she got tired and i relented and carried her thru some deep snow.

we get back to the cabin..and i had to rub my eyes to make sure i was seeing what i was seeing..

baby boy was sitting in a tiny toilet in the middle of the living room. some cartoon (PEPPA PIG) was on the TV. a parent was flanking him on each side. one was giving him poop pep talk..and the other was feeding him cut bits of potstickers. seriously?!!

my wife came running with her puffy jacket on and asked if i was good for another lap. yup..

oh, i met a teenage boy that got flustered opening a pack of sliced bread. the twisty thing buckled him. mom saved him, and made his sandwich. (brother's girl friend)