What do you get when you combine 2 bored kids, a rope and some sticks?

Magic.

We adults thought the rope was for climbing gym-class style.  The kids had other ideas.

The lower stick was for standing or sitting.  The upper stick was for grasping.  A variety of configurations were tested before the right one was discovered.

We adults helped with instructions on knot tying.  We cut down the sticks to the requested size.  We shouted out helpful (and not so helpful) advice.  We sat back and watched.

The 12 year old helped her brother learn to balance and swing.  The 4 year old showed his appreciation by yelling “it’s my turn now” the second his sister stepped onto the swing.

It was one of those lazy summer days that doesn’t come around often enough.

It was magic.