What backyard?

Daniel got Dillon a swingset and built it in one day. It is really nice, with a long yellow slide and a toddler swing, just for him.

Ironically, we now spend the majority of our time trying to pretend like we don't have a swingset. I keep the curtains closed so that Dillon can't see into the backyard. I try to let Tux out the front door when he has to use the bathroom.

Because, if we refuse to acknowledge the swingset, then Dillon's endless cries of "Ah-side!" become meaningless.

Daniel and I don't even say "outside," anymore. We say "Kansas," as in "How many hours has Dillon been in Kansas today? Oh, only four?! That's nothing! He probably isn't even thinking of leaving Kansas anytime soon!"

It isn't that we are cruel or restrictive! It is just that Dillon's interest in activity has dwindled to two things: 1) swinging (if he is outside) and 2) asking to go ah-side to swing (if he is inside).

He talks about it during his meals. During car rides. After his bath. While we are reading bedtime stories. When he is alone in his crib. As soon as he wakes up. When it is storming outside. When it is freakishly cold in April. As we are leaving for school.

This evening, we had finished our marathon of swinging and come inside to wind down before bed. I distracted him with food, then a bath. After bath, we were reading a story, and in the story there was a cow. Dillon has a small plastic cow that he LOVES. He takes it with him everywhere, including outside when he goes to swing. And, of course, we left it outside by the swing tonight.

Uh-oh.

Can you see where this is headed?

"Mmmmooooo! Moooo!"

Pause. In the silence, you can hear his neurons firing as he makes the connection.

"Moo ah-side? Ah-side??? AHHHHH-SIDE!!!!"

Herrrre we go.