The Burrow

They don't like being referred to that way, the elementary school cohort in Amster's life. True individuals, they require different pieces of my attention.  Always have, always will, I imagine. That's what makes it interesting. Because of a difference of opinion over child care, my presence was required on Thursday afternoon.  Somehow, life knows when to send me the means to soothe my soul. I was in need, and The Littles were there to help. Off the bus and into The Schnozz, Kindle taken out and promptly put away as I declared my car an electronics free zone . No, not even just on the ride .  I kept to myself the fact that some of the most interesting conversations I've ever had have occurred just on the ride. Train switches and round-abouts, bicycle riding and banjos and being the elder sibling, a little bit of teasing and tickling and a whole lot of laughing and we were in the parking lot.... because none of us had any quarters for the open meters surrounding our...

It's a tradition, now. The first weekend in October, as long as they're with their mom, Mr 8 and Mr 10 come over to decorate.  Now that Elizibeth is in the mix, there's even someone to drag the boxes off the shelves for me.  I unwrap, reminisce, and watch others do the work. Does that sound perfect? It is. After lunch at Grumpy's Grill, where Mr 8 explained the size and shape of a driver as we watched golf to our right, and Mr 10 made fun of my Colts Super Bowl t-shirt, favoring the Patriots even after I nixed his love for Aaron Hernandez, as we watched Florida State shut out Maryland... and had a good laugh over Terrapins, while I hummed some Terrapin Station to myself, and smiled. Then, after Amster paid the bill (did I mention this was perfect?), we drove down the block to my house and they got to work. Mr 10 has very definite ideas about object placement. His brother was more interested in the can of swords I saved from Big Cuter's childhood.   "You...