yesterday. today.

 tented under linens 

draped over, 

and pinned on, 

green strands 

reaching broadly across overhead.

yesterday. today.

ice.

the toy.

melting though the ceiling as the sun sheds its love. 

grateful recipients below.

the linens droop 

exposing peeks of blue above.

the ice sits patiently on its bed 

fading away under the stare of the sun.

dripping below

slowly

not always been caught.

in hand and mouth it cools the throat

yet burns the little fingers of those that are satiated by its refreshing cool.

to be held only for a moment.

yesterday. today.

in a shelter lovingly prepared.

today. 

as soon as they arise from their beds inside,

with hair a mess,

they tramp through dew-damp grass

seeking its shelter once again.

the pins work hard to hold it all together.

lest it all fall down and the magic end.

peeking out-

the world,

big and wild.

inside,

a haven.

silhouettes 

illuminated and distorted 

as the sun and the wind work together

a name has been given.

then changed and given again.

because they can.

yesterday. today.  

and tomorrow, too, to be sure.

free of care.

comforted, sheltered. 

these are the days.

spent with the ones most dear.

simplicity, admiration.

i'll hold it as long as i can.

Fort

Down by the creek where the cool water flows

There is a fort where no one goes,

Except for sticks, some rocks, the sand,

And the children that love those things in hand.

I creep up closer to sneak a peek

And hear what they say as they play by the creek.

I pull out my camera and as I begin,

they see me and they let me in.

There in their fort I see people-sticks with flower hair

pointing and laughing and living in there.

They have leaves for beds, a tunnel, a stream,

a driftwood bridge, and whatever they dream.

"Our fort was made by Heavenly Father and Jesus,"

And I know that right now they both can see us."

That's what the big one says,

As the younger two agree and nod their heads.

There in their fort where leaves are ceiling, sand is floor,

Thin trees are walls, some branches the door,

Living the art of child's play,

with no video games or plugs to get in the way.

There in their fort - the girl, the 2 boys

Where the ills of this world do not annoy.

There in their fort in a haven of joy

Where nature is their only toy.

chillin' like mcmillan

Ji and I sat. We sat there, we two. We sat and we tickled. We sat and we cooed.We cooed. And we shewed (flies smelled the poo-soil - how shrewd! )

We sat and we watched little dudes play "crazy snake". A game on the tramp made up by Kate .

And as we sat (and said "P-U, that poo-STANK!"), Ezra had control issues, he did not like that snake!...

The older 2 dudes cried out, "MOM! Make him STOP!" But did I stop him? No, no, I did not.

Instead I sat there cooing some more, ignoring those cries as I have{too} many times before. And what more, I remembered those boxes inside on the floor. They were patiently waiting to be relieved of their stuff. But wait they will, cuz for now I've done quite enough. Of that anyway. The rest of the day WE WILL PLAY!

(Or just SIT.)

Oh, and I shaved my boys heads.

They are totally BIC.

Can we say, "too much Dr. Seuss"?

gGGGGGGGGGGGggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg

And NOW for something completely different!

A call for CONGRATS is in order.

My sister, Jewels-eye, just found out that she is having a girly!

11 years and 3 boys after her first girlio. She's due in December.

!!!!!!PiNk HoOrAhS!!!!!!