“The best things in life are nearest: Breath in your nostrils, light in your eyes, flowers at your feet, duties at your hand, the path of right just before you. Then do not grasp at the stars, but do life’s plain, common work as it comes, certain that daily duties and daily bread are the sweetest things in life.” ~ Robert Louis Stevenson - from this wonderful article so much of life is ordinary.

 i've been noticing lately how little the kids play with their toys...they really would rather be outside (or in on cold/wet days) making up imaginary worlds. we have plenty of toys and stuff in general, but i like how this guy describes how little kids really need, especially as we approach the deluge of toy-giving. maybe living in a rental house with the awareness that we will move again in the future (not too near don't worry) makes me want to keep things simple too. in the pictures, our beautiful camellia tree is a favorite fort, a super great owl field trip, and the "well" the kids made out of the kiddie pool.