Une Semaine D'émerveillement Avec les Garçons
“Children see magic because they look for it.”
N opens the windows of his room on a warm afternoon after school. It is at the very top of the house, left to A's room, which looks far and over the green gardens, the trees, and feels so close to the sky.
One early Saturday morning I traveled upstairs and saw him writing in a small notebook taking a break from gazing through the binoculars—jotting notes about what's going on below. I wasn't allowed to read the notes, when I asked, he quietly said "shh..no, it's a secret"
If you're searching for A, he's probably somewhere in the house reading, usually on his bedroom floor, or on his brother's bed, or the middle of the staircase. We're currently working our way through Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire. The boys are similar yet different, they have the same interests and get along, but N is more out and about and about the 'no-rules-anything-goes' life. He thinks aloud and narrates all his movements, it's all "let's go do this and then do this, no wait! let's do this instead this is more fun but maybe if we go over here then—”
Whereas A is more economic, there has to be a system, and rules, and if he's focused on one thing, he's very dedicated, and silence is a virtue. You also have to be careful..if you ask him one simple question, you won't get a shrug or a blunt 'don't know', it will become a very serious discussion, and he'll make sure you won't ask him again..about anything, unless you have a lot of time on your hands.
“Is it not possible that a place could have huge affection for those who dwell there? Perhaps your place loves having you there. It misses you when you are away and in its secret way rejoices when you return. Could it be possible that a landscape might have a deep friendship with you? That it could sense your presence and feel the care you extend towards it? Perhaps your favourite place feels proud of you.”
My favorite thing about those first few weeks was the free time we had in the afternoons when all the homework was done and there were no sports or activities scheduled. The boys never stay inside for long; they're always out in the garden exploring, kicking a ball around, or playing on the swings.
They have such an affinity for birds. Sometimes, all we do is quietly sneak around to spy on pigeons or stretch our necks to watch the birds flying overhead. They love telling me about bird migrations and ask every morning how many I've seen soaring through the sky.
Some afternoons, when the sun sets late and the warm air blends with lilac skies for hours, it feels as though there are no other houses around us. The tall, green hedges tower protectively, responsibilities seem to fade away, and time slows as we watch birds and leaves rustle as if we're seeing it all for the first time.
Everything fascinates them. When they notice something particularly special, they emphasize every syllable of the word "beautiful," speaking it slowly, so I know they truly mean it. They rarely use the word, reserving it for moments of genuine wonder.
They speak English very well, alongside French and Spanish. Although there's sometimes a slight language barrier, communication flows easily. Occasionally, they'll use phrases that aren't quite correct, but in those moments, their enthusiasm outweighs any corrections. When their young eyes sparkle with curiosity, I can't help but smile and simply confirm their discoveries, saying, "Yes! It is real!"
Their endless questions remind me how much we take our knowledge for granted as adults. Simple details become fascinating discoveries through their eyes. They ask many questions, but in the end, I'm the one truly learning from them.
Can you spot N's head? He disappeared into the hedge and next thing I knew he had climbed the intricate branches all the way to the top. It's quite a high hedge, I said to him "You're on top of the world! Will you ever come back down?" he laughed, but I could tell he pondered for a moment living up there forever.
There might be homework to finish, carpools to activities, tidying up, and sleepy, silent walks to school—but in between, there's almost always something fun that keeps us laughing, smiling, or wondering.
This summer, it's all about the lingering scents of flowers in gardens we pass on our walks home, watching cloud formations on humid days as storms brew, or counting how many houses with swimming pools we can spot from the train into the city.
We're always making weekend plans—thinking about upcoming holidays, places to explore, parks to visit, trails to cycle, or inventions to build.
There's always something mindful, something fun, something ordinary turned extraordinary.
Les garçons, je vous adore. Merci beaucoup.
Promenons-nous ensemble dans chaque jardin, et ne cessons jamais d'être curieux.