It was a breezy Autumn Friday afternoon in Colorado Springs. Kites were flying high in the cloudless blue sky, the sound of children's laughter ringing in the air. Birds sent out their unique calls while far off trees rattled their branches. Families sat on the grassy ground watching them play and make friends. Few hills drove the land upwards, covered in the most beautiful flowers of the area.

"Make it go higher!" one small girl yelled at a young man next to her. A full blown smile lit her face like the sun, giggles making their way out of her mouth.

The man tried his best to make the princess kite rise higher than it was. "I'm out of string, Rosie. It won't go any farther. But look, it has beaten Roy and Billy's," he reasoned with a smile. He knew his sister loved to beat her best friend and his brother.

"It is!" Rosie squealed with delight. Roy's race car and Billy's train were sailing lower a ways away. The little girl jumped up and down a few times before running up to the brothers.

She skidded to a halt beside Billy. "Zedric made mine go high! Come on, make yours go higher!" she demanded with a little foot stomp. Zedric heard Roy chuckle as his brother's face turned bright red.

"Little Rose, we can't. Just look at our handles, we don't have enough string," explained Roy in a soft tone. Billy nodded his head and showed his off. Only one more loop kept the kite safely secured.

Rosie glared at them, letting out a huff. She crossed her arms in defeat. "Okay, but next time make it go higher." It was all Roy, Billy, and Zedric could do to not burst out laughing at the little girl's expression as she marched back to her brother.

"Don't look so glum, Rosie Posie. I will make sure they add more string before flying them again." Zedric couldn't keep a straight face at the cross expression of his sister. He knew she hated it when he called her that.

"Stop calling me that, Zeddy," she whined with a stomp. "I'll tell mom!"

A last chuckle escaped the young man's lips before replying, "Okay, okay. Want to go eat lunch now? Mom made peanut butter sandwiches. I'm sure she packed your favorite dessert."

Roy and Billy glanced at Rosie as she let out a squeal. Zedric winced at her pitch. "Cookies! Yay!" He shook his head as she watched her bolt back to their parents, her little legs working against the wind.

The young man reeled the kite in before heading to the blanket his family had laid out under a young tree. All over people had the same idea; some ate under the few scattered trees before the field, others ate in the open.

"Mommy! Daddy! Did you bring cookies?" the little girl asked as she jumped into her father's lap. He barely caught her before she kneed him.

His laughter rang in the air, managing to keep it from being swallowed in the wind. "Yes, punkin. Your favorite, chocolate chip." His wife beamed at him when her daughter's green eyes lit up.

"Zed, could you get your sister a plate and a sandwich?" his mother asked as she handed him the brown wicker basket.

"Yes, Mom. Come here," Zedric said to his sister as she danced in their father's lap. She had too much pent up energy!

"Sandwich first, cookies after." The little girl nodded, mouth crammed with bread and peanut butter.

Their mother and father picked a sandwich each, Zedric going for two. A few cans of sodas and a pack of water sat with the remaining food. The bags of chips went untouched for now, as well as the container of cookies. A breezy day wasn't a time for light objects to be unattended.

Looking around, Zedric noticed others stopping their kite flying to grab a quick bite to eat before resuming. Some kids even brought their food with them back to their spot.

"So," began Mr. Blueblade, taking out a Doritos bag out of the basket, "what have you decided you and Pete Miller are going on your trip?"

Zedric finished his second sandwich and was grabbing a third. "After Halloween. It shouldn't be too bad, still ahead of the worst of the snow. Pete wants to help his mom around the house since he's done with high school now."

"You really should have done it in June or July," Mrs. Blueblade gently scolded him.

"Pete was out of the country with his family," Rosie put in. She was eating her Doritos, the evidence on her face and hands. She received a glare from her brother.

He sighed before shaking his head. "Were you eavesdropping on our conversation again?" Zedric let out a chuckle at her enthusiastic nod.

"We'll be fine, dad. It's only three days." Mr. Blueblade sipped on his water, a frown upon his face. His wife must have seen it for she placed a hand on his shoulder.

Rosie glanced from her mother to Zedric and back, a lonely cookie forgotten on her plate. "Nothing will happen to Zeddy, Mommy. He's big and strong like Daddy!" She was given a small smile from her brother.

"Rose! Zed! Are you coming or what?" yelled Roy from where they were still flying their kites. The boy held a can of Dr. Pepper in one hand while Billy munched on a sandwich.

Both siblings looked to their parents for permission before bolting back
to the brothers, kites in hand. The wind had lessened slightly since their brief break, yet was still strong enough to have fun.