Parks and Friends

I can't even caption these photographs. Half of the time I don't even fully understand the games my children play and the worlds they create together. To attempt any explanation here would be inaccurate, almost certainly, and unnecessary anyway. I kind of prefer the mystery.

Flusterated

Lavender: [Screams into a pillow]
Mom: What's up, Lali?
Lavender: I'm just so flusterated about the cat's bottom that it doesn't have panties on it.
Mom: ...You're frustrated that the cat isn't wearing panties?
Lavender: Hyeah.

She may be setting herself up for a lifetime of misery and stress here. But it sure is funny!

Two Hours of Pie

Geneva: Mom, can I have your pie?
Mom: No, I haven't had any yet. And you just finished yours!
Geneva: But I didn't get enough of whatever I want, and what I want is more pie. [Repeats this to herself several times to enjoy the way the words sound. It's kind of like preschooler rap.]
Mom: Well, sweetie, you can't have unlimited amounts of pie. That wouldn't be healthy.
Geneva: What does "unlimited" mean?
Mom: What do you think it means?
Geneva: It means there's not a, um... there isn't a...
Mom: I think you're on the right track. "Unlimited" means "without a stopping point." So you can't eat pie without a stopping point. You can't have unlimited pie.
Geneva: But Mom, I have a stopping point! It's two hours from now.

A Warm April Day

Usually when I bathe the kids there are three of them and I need to get them all clean. The tub is full of soapy water, I can't take my hand off of Ari, and the bigger two tend to spend more time bickering than washing. It's still wonderful, but also kind of stressful. On this particular morning I put Ari in the tub by himself with a little bit of warm water and epsom salts to help with his diaper rash. Lavender asked to join in, and so with no agenda other than to let them play and relax, we had bathtime-- and it was magical. No soap, no squabbling, no water in the eyes. Just a brother and his big sister.

 

After I picked Geneva up at school we went to the park to enjoy the sunshine. This particular park has a barbecue area that lends itself easily to being a stage, and tends to inspire a lot of theatrics. Today Geneva was giving us her most heartfelt rendition of "Let it Go" ever.

 

We eventually made our way home, but couldn't bear to be inside.

By the end of the day they needed a bath again, which in my book makes this a day well spent.