Side Show

The boys and I took a long walk around our neighborhood this afternoon, under the guise of returning something to a friend who lives up the street. The weather is mild here, I need the exercise and I didn't feel like being stuck in my yard watching the sidewalk go on along without me.

Ethan's best buddy had left cupcakes at school, today being his birthday, and Ethan brought them home. I decided we would walk the cupcakes up the street. I figured telling the boys we were going on a fitness walk would include way more complaining than simply "running an errand," especially one that involves best friends and cupcakes.

As we were heading out, one of the boys asked if he could bring his basketball. Absolutely, I said. Another wanted to bring his prize possession -- his pogo stick.

"I don't really think that's a good idea," I said.

"Why not," he asked. I started to launch into some heady issues like "safety" and "fatigue" and "Mommy will get stuck lugging that thing." And then I realized, no I won't.

"You can bring it," I said. "But it's yours for the duration."

So off we went, heading up the street, me and my five boys. One boy led the pack, with another boy right behind him dribbling a ball. I pushed the baby in his stroller as a boy walked next to me. And behind all of us hopped a pint-sized boy, bouncing on a pogo stick the entire route. We did almost two miles, pogo stick and all.

They never even realized how far they went. It was beautiful and freakish all at the same time.