Tummy Love & Horses

About a year ago, Elijah invented a new game. He did this all without words, lots of pointing and gesturing, and the next thing you know I was laying down on the kitchen floor. He sat down, patted the floor next to him so I sat too. Then he gently pushed my shoulders back until I was laying down. And then the fun part... the part that we began calling Tummy Love. He pulled up his shirt to show his tummy. I had to do the same. And then he laid down across me, our bare tummies matched up. This lasted for a short time before he had to adjust his position, fix his shirt or mine, move around a bit and eventually leave to go play something else. Tummy Love now happens regularly, sometimes when we're just hanging around on the couches, sometimes he demands we lay down on the floor, Tummy Love time. He definitely loves the snuggling.

Today he said it. The first time I've ever heard him say "love" and he was talking about Tummy Love. "Tummy yuv!" Of course it was not a convenient time for me, and when I said "not now," there were tears. Maybe I eventually let him talk me into it. Tummy Yuv.

Later on, after Archer and Shelly were home, there was a serious game of Horsey going on. This is an upgrade from playing Puppy, one I appreciate because Puppy usually ends up with two or three noisy puppies huddling around my feet demanding petting. Horsey is a little more self sufficient. I heard Eli screaming "RUN HOO-TEE!!!" from the other room. Shelly always coaching, "No, E, do it more like this. You're the cowboy, say that." "RUN HOO-TEE!!" And then the phone rings.

Work. It was a work phone call, I knew from the caller ID, and shouted the warning, "Work call! Be quiet please!" And of course my most professional sounding voice, "... how can I help you?" In the background an ear piercing scream. Unbelievably long, loud, high pitched. Horses do NOT make those noises, right? "Sorry for the background noise. I think someone's trying to lasso someone else." She just laughed, understanding. I never really saw whether anyone was riding the horsey, or if they were just chasing each other. I'd rather not know, I'd probably have to put an end to the dangerous game. And life goes on. Tummy Yuv. Hoo-tee. Games all around.