The magnificent maple tree

We are lucky enough to live in a kid friendly neighborhood: surrounded by parks, walking distance to the beach, around the corner from a small library branch, and close enough to several schools.

In hot sticky days, lake Michigan calls us and we obey.

When the weather is cold and dreary ( which is what seems to be the norm these days) we find ourselves hugged by picture books and stuffed animals at our small library branch. Or snuggled indoors with warm woollies, hot teas, aromatic ovens and art supplies.

But then sometimes... sometimes the sun comes out from hiding, the clouds decide to give each other some space, and the sky peeks out in the perfect clear blue, undisturbed by poofs of fluffy clouds. The wind takes a break and slows down-- occasionally picking up speed to play with orange, red and yellow crisp leaves. Picking them UP UP UP, spinning them around then placing them back softly on the ground.


As I've mentioned before, we live close to many parks, but there's this one park a couple of blocks away that we really enjoy. It has a blue circular rotating contraption that Mei likes to call "the snake". She'll bombard a baffled older kid, ask him to ride the snake and lure him towards the contraption. The kid will become Mei's obedient slave for 5 or so minutes, turning and spinning the snake while trying at the same time to get a chance at riding the snake himself.

The park also has a magnificent huge oldish maple tree-- with a thick dark slightly slanted trunk, and your usual star shaped maple leaves. The tree stands in full glory showing off it's last spectacle of colors-- as it sheds slowly-but-surely it's fire shaded leaves.


The leaves then become a playground of their own. Kids and parents alike collect giant heaps of crunchy leaves, jump, hide and bath in them.

At the end of the day, everyone is exhausted from a beautiful day spent outdoors, and everyone goes right to sleep... sometimes sharing ones bed with a new (undiscovered until morning) bed-buddy. A star shaped maple leaf *smile*

Peace