Sometimes it feels as though my life is too predictable and quiet, especially here in Arizona where I don’t have the possible diversion of the grandkids. So I enthusiastically accepted my niece Maggie’s invitation to join her and her kids on an excursion to Tempe Marketplace.

There is nothing particularly remarkable about Tempe Marketplace. It is an outdoor mall about the same as the cajillions of outdoor malls that have sprung up in the past five years or so. The difference is that the weather was gorgeous and Austin and Lilly were going to be there to keep me amused.

As an aside, Austin is the friendliest child I know. My grandchildren tend to be somewhat subdued when it comes to greeting people. Well, some are more outgoing than others. But without exception, when I get into the car or answer the doorbell at his ringing, Austin cheerfully calls out, “Hi Aunt Kris!” Emphasis on the cheerfulness. Really, really cheerful.

Anyhoo, the plan was that Maggie would go to an eyeglasses place to conduct some business, but it was very near one of those areas that have multiple fountains squirting out of the ground at which children romp and play. So following her business, Austin would get into his swim suit and romp and play.

However, apparently prior to their leaving the house, Austin had firmly declared, “I don’t want to play in the water.” In fact, he wept at the prospect.

Nevertheless, when I got into the car, all tears were in the past. “Hi Aunt Kris!” he chirped cheerfully.

“Hi Austin!” I said. “We are going to have us some kind of fun.” He looked doubtful. I believe he rolled his eyes.

He seemed happy, however, to see the fountains as we approached the eyeglass place.

“How about if Austin and I check out the water while you and Lilly go in and do your business,” I suggested to Maggie.

She agreed. What could possibly go wrong?

So I carefully approach the fountains, feeling the temperature of the water (which, to me, felt quite chilly). Austin followed suit. He was fully clothed in shorts, shirt, tennis shoes and socks.

I began taking some pictures. They seemed kind of dark because of all the sunshine, and I began trying to lighten them up.

It was only a few seconds. I swear.

I glanced up to find the child full-out running through the water, by then totally drenched.

In the words of Scooby Doo, “Roh roh.” Now I must go tell Mommy that her aunt had fallen short on her supervisory duties.

“Come on, Little Man,” I told the dripping boy. “Let’s go see Mommy.”

I explained to her that I had only taken my eyes off of him for a second and it seems that he got, well, sort of, ah, wet. She looked at me with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

“Ah, no problem,” she said through clenched teeth, “except that I didn’t bring any other clothes.”

So I proceeded to remove his clothing – yes, right there at the eyeglass shop (which undoubtedly made the proprietors very happy) – and changed him into his swim suit.

We went out, and for the next 45 minutes the child ran back and forth and back and forth and back and forth through the water fountains. There were no other children, but that didn’t matter. Occasionally he would lay down on one of the fountains, giggling as the water tickled his stomach. Once or twice he would look down into a fountain that wasn’t currently spewing water only to have it then shoot forth into his face. No matter. He wiped his eyes and continued running back and forth and back and forth and back and forth.

I guess he changed his mind about not wanting to play in the fountains.

After lunch, he told his mommy he thought he might want to take a nap when he got home. We weren’t even out of the parking lot…..

It’s good to watch kids to be reminded about how simple life really is if you don’t get caught up too much in the complicated stuff.

And, by the way, the clothes dried out by time we left the shopping center.

Well, except for the shoes which might never dry out. Great Aunt Kris might owe the child a new pair of shoes.