Indoor Outdoor Kids-- and the Mysterious Man in Black

Though this week failed to bring another

major snow event to our portion of the

Sandhills, the epic play sessions of Thursday

and Friday were noteworthy.  Let's begin on

Thursday, playing indoors with Claire and Evan.

When Claire plays "Horse Ranch," it's serious business.

Evan had a ranch, too, but his included some cowboys
and other characters.

And of course, where there are horse ranches, you must
have . . . castles and dragons?

Grandma and I do as instructed when it comes to
these play sessions.  There are certain rules of engagement.

Methodical Claire patiently arranges ALL her horses
in a line.  They're on a raiding party looking for "bad guys."

 Soon, it was time for some fresh air.

TO THE STREAM!

At this bridge, the melting snow and overnight rain
had raised the stream's level even with the wood.

As we crossed our other bridge to the main island,
the current had carved what the kids dubbed
"an EXTRA WATERFALL!"
Quite accurate. When you go down that bridge,
you'd better take a sharp left or you'll be in the brink!

Here's a closeup of the "extra waterfall."

Claire's eyes are full of wonder and excitement as
she takes it all in.  Grandma and I simply tried not
to fall in, and to prevent Evan from doing so (he's
a water magnet).

We're all delighted to see our little stream in
paradise so full of activity and energy today.

Claire used various sticks and assorted implements
to gauge the depth of the stream at several points.

On Friday, it was Bri and Hunter's turn.

After playing with pirates, dragons, and

super heroes for a while they were revved

up about heading outside. First, to the stream.

Bri is dredging soggy leaves out of the stream to
speed up the flow of this tributary.

 Hey, who's this mysterious man in black?

There he is again, making a stealthy getaway

ahead of Grandma and Bri.

Bri and the Mystery Man are breaking up those bubbles
to send them downstream.  But who is he?

Whoever he is, he likes Hunter's game of fishing
with hockey sticks.  But he cleverly keeps his
face away from the camera.

Even after two afternoons above freezing, we find
remnants of the snow in the most secluded nooks
of our property.

Slipping away from the stream, the Man in Black sees
Grandma and Bri approaching his hideout in the tree house.

Can he elude them once more?

Yes, even if he has to rappel a steep gorge to escape.

"Wait," says Bri. "Who are you?"

Bri covers every foot of the trail, over and through the
tunnel, up and down steep banks, searching for clues
to the identity of the Man in Black.

Back at the house, while playing a game of "Cat's Eye,"
(ever heard of that one?), everyone puzzles over the
Mysterious visitor.

It was Hunter!

In an unguarded moment, Hunter allowed himself
to be caught on film.  There can be no doubt, he's
our Mysterious Man in Black.

Let's close up with a couple of short videos

of the sights and sounds of the stream

and waterfalls in winter. Relax and enjoy.

I hope you're having good days,

whatever the weather!