I don't know when it happened, but somehow my girls have gotten old enough to invite friends over to play--and they don't need me to entertain them, or really even to watch them. So I'm sitting downstairs, trying to read, while they romp around upstairs. It's so hard for me to stay away, when I really want to sneak upstairs to see what they're up to. Thump, bump, bang, giggle. Their laughter a fairy tinkle of absolute innocent delight.

My wish is that it would always be this way. That they would always be able to romp and play and whisper and laugh with no inhibitions or concerns.

Although Mia just called down, "Don't come upstairs." So now I'm thinking that fairy laughter might not have been so innocent afterall. . .