The Kiddie Pool

The kids are playing in the kiddie pool, and it feels a bit like an oasis in the backyard. Let me paint a picture. We have created a kid zone in the flattest part of the yard; it consists of a wonderful molded plastic climbing set with a little clubhouse and slide. Behind that is one of those classic turtle sandboxes, and to the fun we have now added last year's kiddie pool. It is now quite filled with a few inches of water, three dump trucks, two buckets, and a shovel. Oh, and two preschoolers. We are in the shade of eight or nine tall trees--oaks, hickory, pine. The sun is warm behind occasional clouds, and the breeze from a stirring thunderstorm feels perfect.

Lily is offering a running storyline to go with their playtime. ("And she had to take a bath. So Lily hopped into her favorite truck. It didn't want to be in the water.") Only apparently it did, because then it gets all dirty, and gets washed in the kiddie pool.

Lily just asked why it's called a kiddie pool. Apparently I am pronouncing it "kitty pool," because she pointed out that she and Jack are people. Point taken.

Jack runs over to me (positioned a safe distance from the splashing) every few moments to tell me it's fun. He is my sweet boy who likes to check in. I hope that's still true, on a less moment-by-moment basis, when he's grown!

I hear thunder approaching, though the birds are singing and it's still sunny and very warm. I suppose we will need to go in soon. I am really enjoying this moment, though. As a friend said last week, water is a wonderful babysitter. :) My kids certainly love to play, and love having no restrictions on their splashing.