Image by Kaffeebart from Pixabay

Kuen watched as the last of the sand was poured into the box. He thanked the men and sent them on their way. “Is it done?” Fiera came out of the house and looked. “The littles are going to love that.”

“I hope so. It was certainly enough of an investment that they should get years of enjoyment out of it,” Kuen said.

Phelix came out of the house to see what they were looking at. “Is the sandbox finished?” He saw it was full and ready to go. “We should let them try it after they wake up from their naps.”

“Nafi and Lao are going to love it,” Fiera said. “You’re sure it just takes a trickle of water? I don’t want to have to soak it.”

“I made sure to get the right sand, Fury,” Kuen said with a laugh. “I paid attention.”

“So did I, and I made sure he ordered the right stuff when we put the order in,” Gaspare said, coming out to join the other adults. He put an arm around Phelix’s waist. “Pascal is going to love this.”

“Gale’s a bit young for it yet. But when she’s bigger she can play with the other children,” Phelix said, surveying the new sandbox with some pleasure.

Kuen looked up at the sky. Sorus’ weather was mildly unpredictable in the summer, but it appeared as if it was going to stay a pleasant day so he didn’t mind bringing his twin daughters and his nephew out to play.

“Mama?” Nafisa, one of Kuen’s three year old twins, came toddling out of the house.

“Nafi, you know you’re supposed to stay inside unless one of us is with you,” Fiera said. She left the play area and went to collect their daughter. She took her back inside to get her cleaned up.

“If she’s awake, Pascal will be awake as well,” Phelix said, heading back inside. A short while later, Fiera and Phelix returned with three of the four children. “Gale is still asleep, surprisingly enough.”

“I’ll go back inside, just to be safe,” Gaspare said. “She’s only a baby and shouldn’t be left unsupervised.” He headed back inside.

They introduced the children to the sandbox. The children immediately began to dig and play in it, as they’d hoped. Kuen introduced a trickle of water to the sand and it immediately became tacky and easy to build with. The children began to make shapes and had a grand time. Finally, they took the children back inside so Fiera could fix dinner. Kuen decided that all in all the sandbox was a sound investment.