do not enter

i just spent most of the afternoon on the computer trying to revamp our schedule a little bit for more independence on everyone's part, and more success and long-term maintenance of it, too, hopefully... the kids have been outside making obstacle courses for each other, and miscellaneous projects with marshmallows and probably various ingredients from the backyard (yesterday it was three-worm-stew, admired by all but eaten by none), and generally enjoying the delight of childhood. i knew they didn't need me out there, but i have been feeling sorry for myself that i wasn't out there enjoying it with them, or more accurately, enjoying THEM. so finally i printed out my work and thought i would go out, just to see what they're up to, and i bring my budget stuff to catch up on that, and as my glazed-eyed self is just about to barrel through the back door, i stop right in my tracks to see this sign:

Mom- please do not
come outside for now
because of certain
circumstances.
Thank you so much.

and I quote. then i start laughing out loud and say that is fine, i don't mind,(they can see me and my surprise from where they work) and linc comes right into the kitchen trying to explain they are doing something private for now...nevermind that i can see them on the deck as i look through the glass door, tho now i'm trying to NOT look at anything for fear of ruining the surprise, whatever on earth that might be.

he also just brought in a very intricately cut, colored, and stapled animal of some kind, stuffed with something in its middle, and on it is written "made for mommy's too!" -a pre-mothers day present for a friend of ours. last week his big project was a coloring book for the birthday of a baby friend of ours who just turned one. she got a book with pages such as: color the baby (with lovely accompanying drawings of course, wish i'd have captured them before the party), color the tiger, color the bible, color the ear.

youngest child now screaming. here's why it takes me a month to sit down here!
picture to follow hopefully, of the sign.

thanks for reading!