Play Daze

We've made good on our goal to spend more time outside. Yesterday, the kiddos weren't ready to go inside, having had a great time on the playground at school. We stopped by the park on our way home because I saw that a flock of geese was in the pond. Sis and Bud had fun running around the water watching the geese dive, flap, and apparently take their baths. And they spotted the local cat again, which occasioned much excitement. Then they played on the playsets. A swing injury (more like a swing scare--Sis fell off backwards at "take off") and a need to pee (I had the portable potty with us but that was a no-go) took us home early, but instead of going inside, we played outside for another 2 hours. We took all of the big sticks in our yard and built a three-sided cabin (just the walls, so more like a barricade) under our little pine tree. We even made a door and had a good time going "inside" and "outside." Reason number 15 not to clean up your yard: sticks are perfect playthings!

And so, first thing after breakfast this morning, we headed outside for another marathon play session. In addition to playing in our stick house, Sis asked that we build another fairy house. Making one in the fall is totally different than in the spring or summer because of the available materials: this one has a stockade-like fence protecting the little lean-to, all of which is buttressed and covered with bright yellow and orange leaves to keep the fairies warm. No flowers or gardens here, but a nice big Torii-like gate so we can easily spot the structure amid all the falling leaves.

We also played with a ladybug that Sis found climbing on a bush. She wanted to hold it and as I passed it to her I noticed that my hands were covered in orange liquid. Oh, goodness, had I inadvertently squashed and killed the poor little ladybug? I set it down and thank heavens it was soon moving. I think it peed on me!! The kids were fascinated. Because I thought the little bug might have had enough, we left it alone but watched it wander around the sidewalk for quite awhile. "Be good to bugs!"

This afternoon we arrived home from Chinese class as it was beginning to rain. Puddles! Sis and Bud got their jackets and boots and headed outside to play. We danced under my umbrella, twirling the rainbow colors and singing "Singing in the Rain." And they made a huge mess of themselves splashing in the water.

And then they found the worm, high and dry near my van on the driveway. I suggested we move the poor thing to the grass, afraid it might already be dead. But it wiggled! So Sis insisted we dig a hole for it, place a little scoop of water for a drink, and cover it with a leaf or two for a comfy blanket.

I really, really, really hope that worm is not there when we go out to play tomorrow . . . .