Why Kids Need Supervision

I took genius and bruiser to the park today so they could ride their bikes. They've been begging me for days to take them, but it's been raining non-stop until today. The park is the only level area around us, so off we went with a tricycle and bike with training wheels.

When we get to the park, it's populated by a large gathering of families. Some of the kids are little brats and joke about whipping a basketball at my 5 yr old as he rides by. That is, until they see me.

Then, like clockwork, 5 minutes into riding their bikes, both kids ditch them under the covered eating area - populated by this group gathering. I just realize that the men from their group have migrated and moved to a table away from the women. While I am trying to put the bikes out of the way, I realize the women are praying, and think this might be a gathering of Mormons, maybe? Anyway, their praying gave me the chills, perhaps because this is a public park and now because they are praying I feel like I shouldn't make any noise!

My attention was diverted when genius asked if he could dig with some other kids in the sandy volleyball area. He has permission from one of the kids, he explains. I say yes, and run off to push bruiser on the swing.

After a few minutes (and bruiser announces,"No more swing!"), I decide to check on the digging project because it occurs to me none of the adults are supervising these kids. Sure enough, two of the older kids (ages range from 3 - 8 and there's about 10 kids) are using metal spikes with sharp points to "spear" the ground and dig in the sand. One of these kids nearly hits my son with a spear. I decide I should supervise and warn that the spikes aren't really toys and are dangerous yet compliment them on their project.

As I stand there, I overhear their conversations:

Older blond kid with spike: "Hey, you're fired (to a younger blond boy). You're a waterboy now, go get water."

Hispanic kid who is the owner/foreman of the project:"Hey, we need more help."

Older blond kid with spike: "I just fired a kid and hired another one."

My son is the new hire.

There's lots of talk about keeping the damp sand from collapsing around the water they've poured into their sand "channels."

I suggest to nobody in particular,"If you use dry sand from the playground, that will help the walls from crumbling."

My son pipes up,"My mom's SMART." I love my son.

Lots of talk about digging, and then my 3 yr old joins them, grabs an enormous stick and starts batting away at the walls of sand, and freaking out a 6 year old near him,"Ooooh, don't DO THAT! We're building!"

Hispanic foreman,"There's another dam! Someone get rid of it!"

Then, in the distance, a generic dad appears on the horizon. As he gets closer, it is clear he is the father of the Hispanic foreman because the little boy says,"We (he and his little brother) have to go."

Older spike boy,"I have all the tools, and if we have the tools, we can build it!"

Father to spike boy,"Your mom says you have a piano lesson this afternoon and you should go home." This is met with dreary sighs.

Hispanic foreman issues one last command before going home,"Keep digging guys! This (gesturing grandly to the digging area) is everything!"

I lure my kids away from the construction site by promising them a treat from Starbucks.