Run, run, run up the street, with stroller, while grinning, maize filled in under the trees then pulled away, leaving a dot, who ran, ran, ran towards me, a dot, while grinning herself.

It was more fun being late than on time for a change.

...

I beefed up security around here after the Dallas down the steps tumble. We recently put a lock on the door to avoid watching Dallas' inevitable new dance moves, but it is typically my nature to brand myself with the learned lesson--burnt learnt.

1. Door locked and no playing upstairs for baby. We're lucky he didn't fall over the edge of the railing of this dangerous fucking bungalow. 2. Kids only in backyard. Lloyd is sociable and capable of handling himself in the front yard. It's the rest of the world in my front yard I worry about with him. He's only three my husband reminded me. 3. Pay more attention to the boys playing together and less attention to negative behaviors ... and less attention to my computer. Who, me? 4. Blocked off basement steps. Now I feel better about Dallas going in and out the side door with Lloyd. No more visions of a dirty beat up toddler crumpled at the bottom of the steps with the wet towels and silverfish. 5. Throw away jump ropes and sharp objects. This is where my imagination runs wild. I'm not one of those moms who pictures herself hurting her kids with such tools, it's the big brother having to share everything and getting frustrated about it to the point of excess I worry about. He can still use his teeth if necessary, although the sharp objects I'm talking about he makes like an inmate. 6. Kids in car seats. I hate conforming.

I'm realizing I just have to do what Consumer Reports and other experienced professionals say and don't think about it. Oftentimes there is a product out there for purchase to solve a parent's child management concern. My kids are living miracles because they survived traveling in the worst infant car seat on the market, the evidence burnt learnt eight years later--like 800 times slower than the sunlight hitting earth. Hearty kids they are. Anyways, I'll cut it short here so to WATCH the kids.