No amount of persuasion can convince Calla that llamas aren't running wild in the caves of our Giant City State Park. We've been on this hike twice, winding our way through the giant sandstone blocks that form caves, "streets," and looming bluffs. We go on our walks to look for bugs, birds, and inevitably, llamas. Still haven't seen one yet, but Calla's not giving up.
It's fun to go on walks with Calla these days - as long as we avoid the typical two-year-old tantrum on the way. She walks with such energy: arms pumping, hips swaying, shoulders and torso pushing forward. Running is even more fun to watch. It's not just her legs; her whole body runs. While it's not exactly a graceful stride, the lurching, staggering toddler run is gone.
Also gone is her baby fat of a year ago. All her outdoor play is building her muscles long and lean. Despite our efforts to slather on sun screen ("scum sceem" according to Calla) with SPF 50 to 70, her legs and arms are tanned more than I could ever achieve back in my "laying out" days. It's amazing the transformation that's occurred in just the last six months. Hopefully, she'll always love moving her growing muscles as much as she seems to now. I wonder if she'll eventually adopt the adolescent slump... that "don't look at me" slouch common among 15-year-old girls. I hope not, but perhaps it's inevitable.
Both Calla's legs and mine bear the battle scars of a Southern Illinois summer: mosquito bites. I counted 11 bites on Calla's right leg last week, from shin to ankle. They don't seem to bother her that much, although she will find one to scratch when she's looking for a little sympathy. We'll smear on a little bug bite lotion (doesn't really work that well for me) and she nods reassuringly: "Feel better soon." Joe said that if bug bites were a sign of neglect, we'd be talking to DCFS by now. Thankfully, it's just a sign of a busy outdoors summer.
Still at least one more month of summer left here in Southern Illinois. You can be sure we'll be outside, enjoying as much of it as the bugs allow. And very likely, looking for those wild llamas. They're out there, somewhere.
2 comments:
Remind us again where Calla gets this love for these nonexistant llamas?? Did she see them in a book or something?
Ahh. Yes, the love of the llama. Comes from one of her very first favorite books, the classic "Is Your Mama a Llama?" And supported by the timeless "Llama, Llama, Red Pajama." I must say that the latter's sequel, "Llama, Llama, Mad at Mama" did not go over quite as well, and that we've still yet to read the newly released "Llama, Llama, Missing Mama."
None of this explains why she doesn't think we should look for Curious George or Clifford on our nature walks, but it's my only explanation for her llama fascination.
Post a Comment