She inspected each rock with great seriousness. Then, when the moment felt right, she tossed it. The splash was the point. A Saturday morning hike to Fallen Leaf Lake.

They had a route in mind. She had a duck to chase. A family session at Camp Richardson, Lake Tahoe, told entirely on a toddler's terms.

A dance floor made of hardwood, a gummy bear song, and two boys who still had energy left over. They put their helmets on. The neighbors had mentioned bears.

Two boys, a sand castle with a moat and a wall, and one very determined Godzilla. A spring break afternoon with Sara's family at Lake Tahoe.

A low tide. Three boys. And one big brother who found his move before we made it halfway across the reef ….