SOL #52Stories 27/52: Welcome to the Pacific Back Yard!

I'm attempting to write 52 stories from my life during the year 2020. At least one story a week, in no particular order, to remember and document some of the memories and moments of my life. 

Our weather has warmed up a bit, so the grand boys and I made sure to play outside this morning before Robby's morning nap. Jack wasn't quite ready to join us, so Robby and I headed out first, with Jack joining us after he got dressed.

There's so much to love when you experience the back yard through a child's eyes. There's the mountain to climb in the corner of the yard and the rocks to scale if you're feeling adventurous like little brother Robby. And when you reach the top of the mountain,  there's a speaker's stand for you to plant yourself on and declare to the world: "Welcome, everyone, to the Pacific Back Yard!" Those words, shouted in joy, reminded me of the sort of thing that Jack's Uncle Blake would have done. Funny how you see characteristics passed down in family members, even when they aren't around each other much.

We went from the corner of the yard to the Dirt House on the other side of the yard where joyfully running laps was the next activity. There's something so delightful about moving our bodies that it's easy to forget unless you watch the youngsters in your life. And Robby spent some time playing peek-a-boo with Grandma in the branches.

Then we stopped off in the center of the yard to play on the slide, peek out of the slide, climb through the tunnel under the slide, throw the ball onto the platform, and watch it fall down the stairs or roll down the slide. Occasionally, a boy went down the slide!

Finally, it was back to the speaker's stand so Jack could once again joyfully proclaim, "Welcome, everyone, to the Pacific Back Yard!" He even gave brother Robby a turn on the platform.

We wish you could have joined us for playtime in the Pacific Back Yard! A shaded space in the cool 70s is an absolutely perfect way for this Grandma to spend a summer morning.