Treasures: In the Eye of the Beholder

I've mentioned this in the past, but one of the best things that I've done for my girls was start a playgroup.

Although Big Sister E loves her friends at school and both kids adore playing with our wonderful neighbors, this playgroup is more like family. We've been playing together for over three years now and it's amazing just how well the kids all get along, so watching them interact is always a treat.

Our recent trip to the park was no exception.

While there were plenty of options for play, the kids had all chosen to sit and dig in the sand. What is it about the sand and kids? There can be a large, elaborate play structure nearby and somehow the sand gets chosen as the most entertaining option. Really?

Big Sister E provided the extra humor and excitement this time, however, by pausing her digging and calling out excitedly, "I found something!!"

"What is it?"

"What do you think it might be?"

"Can you see it? Can you get it out?"

While the kids excitedly talked about what kind of treasure they had possibly found (considering the price of gold lately, I was secretly hoping that maybe they had discovered discarded jewelry or tungsten wedding bands... or any tungsten rings, really. C'mon, treasure!) they continued watching Big Sister E dig until...

A plastic turtle.

Not a plastic turtle wearing jewelry or with a coat of gold or wearing black tungsten rings for men on each turtle leg. Simply a plastic turtle that had been buried in the sand.

Which, judging from the huge smile that stayed plastered on Big Sister E's face for the rest of the morning, was the best thing that she could have found.

Clearly I just have a poor idea of what constitutes treasure.