though we meet every week for potluck/playgroup, it has been many months since we actually brought food and tried to sit down and eat. when the kids were tiny, it was so easy - they slept in their carriers while we sat and ate and talked, and enjoyed a nice leisurely potluck lunch. once they kids started wanting to eat the food, and especially once they become mobile, it got harder and harder to have a real potluck. anyway, for today's potluck we decided to meet at a playground, and a few of us even went so far as to bring food! we were careful to bring food that didn't require plates, so we ended up with cookies, muffins, and fruit. not too bad. the kids were busy playing, and just stopped by occasionally to cram a sandy handful of food into their mouths, and then they were off again. adella brought her soccer ball, and even played a cooperative game of 'soccer' with sean. the whole game lasted only a few minutes, but it was cute to see them starting to learn that it actually is more fun to play ball with someone, instead of just trying to keep the ball for themselves. that's my girl - going UP the twisty slide. it's her favorite thing at the playground now, after she saw a group of big kids doing it. i'm not too crazy about it, but i guess as long as she's not holding up slide traffic... the prettiest tree in the world. i have no idea what kind it is. anyone know? "cheese!"