Happy ponies

Every day at 3:25 pm, I trot the 1.5 blocks to the local school, mug of tea in hand, to pick up the boys.  I have learned that the mug of tea is absolutely critical for me to maintain a non-hypothermic body temperature.  The boys and their friends love to play in the school yard after school lets out, which is great in spring and fall.  Not so great when it's sub-zero, which really is most of the school year, let's face it.

ANYWAYS, today was a day like any other.  Sipping my tea, waiting and watching the kids play in the snow.  Andreas and his best friend, sitting in a drift, talking and licking the snow off their mitts.  Nicholas and his 2 best pals having fun playing out some kind of drama that includes slow-motion fight scenes, complete with slo-mo sound effects.

Having fun, that is, until they tumble within earshot of me, which is when Nicholas becomes conscious of my proximity.

I think we should stop now, guys,  he says in a hushed voice.  My mom is right there.  And she doesn't like violence.

Then he suddenly brightens.  And declares quite clearly: Boys, it's time for HAPPY PONIES!

Apparently, his friends have received these instructions before because they clearly understand what is expected of them.  They begin at once to frolick and prance all over each other, mewing some kind of sing-songy something.  Then they begin to giggle.  Then they run off.

I'm not sure why this little vignette delights me so.  Perhaps there's assurance in knowing that Nicholas still cares what I think.  Perhaps it's the silliness of 8 year old boys frolicking and prancing.  Perhaps it's just the very idea of happy ponies.  I don't know.  But I love it.