Almost Everything

All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players.

--William Shakespeare

In the morning the toys are in their place, tidy and organized, lovely to look at.  The toy cars sit next to the trucks.  The wooden pieces are fit together neatly and tucked away.  The straw basket holds all the pretend fruit, the pretend knife placed within reach.  I marvel at this thoughtfully curated set of toys and feel calm.  I anticipate the learning that follows play.

This is before Levi the player enters the stage.  The sound and fury comes and my rose-colored glasses are knocked right off.