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As I step into the cock pit I smile at my days work flapping wildly on the clothes lines. Funny how simple things like seeing the whites all pinned up contrasting against the deep blue brings an unexpected pleasure. I look over at my second batch of fresh laundry ready to become infused with fresh balmy scents only the sea  can offer. Just before I reach for the colorful tee shirts little Zakary squeals with delight as he throws the whole pile back in the wash water.  Tiny as he is He manages to get the washer plunger and pound the clothes all over again. I take a moment just to sit and watch his glee as the cool water splashes all over his little diaper-shirt. He’d been helping me all morning and after he took two baths in the laundry tub I finally had him all clean and in a dry shirt and diappy.

Laundry was not the only big job to be conquered today. Alyssa and I both knew it was time Teyauna’s hair had a good brush out. Bathing her in the cock pit and washing her tangles I knew Alyssa would have to do the hard part of the job. Teyauna’s curls are adorable with or without a brushing each day and it had been a few since she let anyone touch it. She  seems to be a little more tolerant of her big sister doing this dreaded task.  I rerinse the tee shirts and send Teyauna into the main salon area so she can get the silky curls back in order.  The french doors from the cock pit to the inside of the boat are usually left open so I keep an eye on the girls as baby Zak helps me finish pinning the clothes. After ten minutes tears  spilling down her cheeks  she begs her sister to stop. Alyssa promises treats and tells her stories of dolphins and mermaids to distract her. Ever since we crossed the equator yesterday she has been preoccupied with the idea that mermaids or at least dolphins should have been there to welcome us across. Out of the corner of my I am amazed when the fuzzy mass of tangles reorganizes under the direction of Alyssa’s swift fingers. By the time we are done a little princess with Dutch twisty braid emerges from the boat. I smile and listen to her prattle on and on about the mermaid princess who swims with dolphins who is going to visit her today.

Alyssa and then Jaeden and one by one each of the kids wander lazily into the cock pit. No one is really talking just enjoying the cool shade and gentle rushing of the waves as they push us ever closer to our destination. Alyssa settles in and then sits up straight. As she points Teyauna jumps up. Dolphins magically appear as if out of nowhere.  Everywhere we look sparkling silver  creatures dive in and out surfing the waves around our little ship. Teyauna finally gets the welcome she had been waiting for although she still hopes to see the mermaid princess that usually rides with her dolphin chariot.

8:20 pm PDT, Lat: 02° 56.242′ S, Long: 131° 34.298′ W, Course 216° T, Speed: 6.2 K, Wind: ENE 13 K, Swell: ENE 3′, Cloud Cover: 15%, Barometer: 1013 hPa, Temp: 27°C