Sunday I could be found, once again, at Rock Creek Park. I was babysitting my sister, Louisa, and her BFF, Teddy. We decided to take a hike and to do some birdwatching. The day was hot and humid so it was nice to be in the shade of the hiking trail.

Now, as I have mentioned before, it is important to be quiet when birding. The kids were in playful, rambunctious moods and they were making a ton of noise, so the trip was a fail in terms of finding birds, but we had a lot of fun anyway!

“Last one there is a rotten egg!” Teddy shrieked and took off at a gallop.

“Hey, you started before me!” Louisa yelled as she tried to catch up.

When I caught up to the kids way down the trail they were discussing who was and who wasn’t a rotten egg.

“Why must the last one be a rotten egg?” I asked. “Why not a moldy bagel or a rancid walnut?” The kids giggled and then, predictably, Louisa began running again.

“Last one there is a putrid mushroom!” she bellowed as she charged full-steam-ahead through the trees.

“Last one there is a fetid brussels sprout!” Teddy, not to be outdone, whooped as he took off after Louisa.

By the time we got home, the kids had tired themselves out and were more than ready for their afternoon naps.

XOXO,
Bernice