She was outside playing with the big boys. She loves them with all her heart, and they love her, and sometimes they don't know their strength. I patted the baby's bottom, rocking and swaying and spying out the window at them all. They had been buddies all day, which is unusual, and resulted in way more mess than usual. The big boys are on the verge of bits of "man" showing through, and I feel a mix of sadness and pride. Roo is beginning to find her voice and her confidence, and they let her tag along. Their voices were high and their shoulders sweaty. All their little (and big) hands gripped the same rope, and their imaginary world had mostly taken over. I could see the potential for a wild and unintentional injury. It's almost always the smaller ones that get hurt. But everyone must learn their strength, their limits, and to think for themselves and look out for others. Sure enough... they came parading in- blood and tears and "I DIDN'T MEAN TO!