Backyardigans

We’ve had a few of those amazing Texas days over the last 2 weeks. Tiffany blue skies, temperatures in the 70’s and a breeze just to remind you that it’s not yet spring. I have let the kids take full advantage of the fresh air and to their delight, shooed them outside every afternoon. I love to sneak out and find out what they have discovered and how they are entertaining themselves. One afternoon, 4 other kids from our cul de sac found their way to our backyard so that day I figured I better sit on the back porch to make sure no blood was shed or worse, feelings hurt. I found myself thinking about Jane Goodall, you know, the lady who studied chimpanzees in their habitat all her adult life. Pretending to read, I tried to remain anonymous and blend in to my chair as I observed them play and work things out for themselves. A couple of things learned: blood will be shed if 3 or more are gathered in the name of “play” and I am not Jane Goodall. They totally knew I was there. Not because I didn’t blend in but because I could not keep my mouth shut. Oh well. It was MY backyard………..
One day both kids ran in and found me at the computer. Their hands were black with dirt which was falling with every step and with each excited wiggle. They opened them up to reveal little worms they had unearthed. Can you even guess Julia’s next question? “Mom, can we get a little box and keep them for pets?” Pets. I bet you can guess my answer.
I have found Brighton threading Hot Wheel tracks through car door handles making ramps and courses even Evil Kenevil wouldn’t have attempted. They play school quite often with you-know-who as the teacher. Her stick to point “things” out is as tall as she is. She stands way up on the fire place to wield her authority as her pupil sits on the ground. They made a “sculpture” of junk from our garage- thanks to a Georgia O’Keefe class Julia took at the museum last week. At least they didn’t paint it black. I have found Julia in her apron hanging “dress up” clothes on a string tied between two trees. Once I walked out to tell them to come wash hands for dinner and they had tied their bikes to the wheelbarrow which had been filled with the same junk that made the “O’Keefe-ish” sculpture in hopes of pulling it behind them. Since they had tied the string to the wheels, they didn’t get very far.

Okay, so just yesterday, I walk out to check for signs of life and here is the picture: Julia, with her head covered with a kerchief, sitting in a miniature lawn chair perched in the front of Brighton’s extra large wagon and Brighton, with much groaning and effort, pulling her around the backyard. All she needed was a canopy to cover her fair head. I asked them where they were going and she said, “Africa”. Breathless Brighton chimes in, “It’s a LONG way.” So I asked, “What are you going to see there?” “Lions and tigers and elephants and giraffes”, she said as she was being pulled away from me about to turn the corner into our front yard. “And some people, too”, she called over her shoulder and then added with a wave of her arm, “I am going to share the Gospel!” and with that she was out of sight. Then I heard Brighton drop the handle and say, “We are HERE!” None to soon for him, I am sure.