When I finally broke free of my computer's tractor beam yesterday, the kids were feeling squirrelly, and I needed some fresh air desperately. We headed to a local park, and I stood ankle deep in the sand while the kids ran off and did whatever struck their little fancies at that moment.

The sun was warm, and the kids weren't asking for anything, and I just sort of stood there, slack-jawed and drooling while the sun lulled me into a state of duuuuuuuuuh.

I noticed that my kids had gone in three different directions, and after I shook off the cobwebs, I headed toward my oldest, who had organized the local urchins into squads, and was preparing them for their first imaginary World of Warcraft battle. Noting that the other parents weren't paying attention, I pulled my daughter aside and reminded her that 'real' battles weren't cool with me.

I noticed that my son was sitting alone under the rock climbing wall. I walked over to him and asked him what he was doing. He looked up, deadly serious, and told me that he had to figure out something. He didn't want my help.

My youngest was busy bossing around another little girl, telling her where to go, how to get there, and what to wear while she was on her way. I have no idea where she gets that (GRANDMA!!!!) but the other kid was just rolling with it. I sat on a bench, and then restlessly resumed my survey of the park.

By this time, my oldest had her squad of kids marching down a grassy gully, shouting battle cries against imaginary opponents. Oooohkay. I watched for a few minutes, and then figured they were doing okay. I walked back to my son. He had managed to scoop the legs of his shorts full of sand, and was trying to figure out how to crab-walk himself to the top of the slide without spilling any sand. I left him doing a combination of scooting and spiderwalking up the stairs to the platform, and checked in with my youngest.

"You! Girl! Come here." she shouted imperiously. The other kid obeyed.

I returned to the bench. This has been a weird couple of weeks, and I've felt out of touch with this blog, with my usual routine, and with my kids. Watching them play in their strange little ways, seeing their funny personalities and sitting under the warm sun and enjoying the afternoon, it dawned on me. This is what I used to write about. These are the things I want to remember.