I have begun a new war with myself. It is a new thing, as I only started it a couple weeks ago. Today it began with the realization that I needed to put the kids to bed. Upon walking outside, I found Claire's pants all wet and laying on the concrete, and her little hands plunged deep into a bucket of soapy water. Along with the water and the soap, you could also find the remainder of the chalk box (along with the remainder of the chalk), a handful of rocks, and a piece of paper. Isaac was also stooped over the bucket with a bottle of bubbles in his arms, turned at just the right angle for dumping its contents, and saying "more barbecue sauce". I soon learned that they called this "soup". They were both giggling and dirty, spilling the soup at intervals over the concrete. A small portion of the concrete remained dry, until Isaac decided that it looked like an alligator and that he needed to "close its mouth". Upon this realization, the alligator was covered with soup and was no longer to be seen.

Many other things transpired this afternoon, all adding to the battle within myself... The desire to be reasonable mixed with a desire to let fun and creativity go on forever. God has really givien kids the innate ability to enjoy life! And all the scrapes and bruises can't keep them down for long. They are a precious example to me everyday.