Laughter

It doesn’t take much. The smallest action. A certain word. Even a glance at the right time sets off a string of laughter. It usually starts with Anna Lynn. But it doesn’t take long before it spreads to Luca and Lincoln.

Within seconds all of them are laughing uncontrollably.

Luca laughs till tears roll down her cheeks. Anna Lynn’s laugh is loud and startling. And Lincoln laughs so hard he can barely breath.

Tonight I enlisted their help to wash our van. I asked Luca to wash the windows. Lincoln was supposed to wash the grill while Anna Lynn scrubbed the tires.

That’s how I planned it. But I should know better. Attempting to plan an activity that includes a bucket of water, a hose and a giant pink sponge results in sensory overload.

Things went as planned for at least 10 seconds.

Although the van wasn’t getting any cleaner, the kids were. Wet rags and went flying. Someone got squirted. And somehow I got smacked in the head with a sopping wet pink sponge.

And that’s when the laugher started. I wasn’t sure what to think as I cleared soap bubbles from my ears and attempted to regain my composure. Should I be upset? Should I send them to their rooms? Which kid possessed the accurate aim?

What would you do?

I decided to do what any reasonable father would do.

I took the sponge and dunked it in the bucket of water before chasing them around the yard.

Our van is a lot cleaner tonight.

And our family is a little closer.