Saturday in Spring

The kids are 'big kids' now, being 4 and 3 years old. They are each others' best friends, and companions in play. They are improv partners: playing make-believe, building on each others' fluid imaginary worlds, and jumping on the bandwagon when something gets a rise out of the adults in the home.

Playing outdoors is a much easier proposition, as the older one can get himself ready, and the younger one can at least gather the necessary pieces, and put on, if not zip up, her jacket. They are purposeful, knowing what they wish to do outdoors, and are happy initially to run around and orient themselves to the mushiness or solidity of the ground, breathe in the fresh air, feel the warmth of the sun. It's also finally getting to be the time when moving the kids outdoors for a change of scenery is possible. The cloud of indoor irritability disperses when they cross the threshold to go outdoors. Those legs that kick out at a sibling indoors get busy climbing a slide, or jumping on sticks.

When we go out, they are able to wait for a table, seat themselves in chairs, and use cutlery. They can play with a few small toys before the food arrives, and when they are inevitably done first, go back to the toys for a while before getting restless.

The junior kindergartener continues to be happy at school, and to be picking up things from his peers as everyone becomes a little more verbal and a little more social. There is some playground rudeness that filters back, and we put him back in line. What can be negotiated on the playscape with rough words among the 4-6 year olds doesn't work at the dinner table (civilized company). This is the separation of the kids' world from the adult world. I already sense the divide - he complains "Adults are always telling the kids what to do," but also the aspirations: "Am I going to be an adult soon?"

Meanwhile, the newly 3-year is an accomplished mimic of her brother, and also of us. You can actually experience her learning new words and concepts as they happen.

Three and four are nice ages, when the best treat ever is still a Kinder Surprise Egg.