Simple Day but Oh So Wonderful...

As I type this today, I am watching a little girl sleep. She is one of the children in my care, and today I just have her until after school, and then my group grows to five children.

Anyways, she arrived mid-morning and we went to the nearby park. She brought her own baby buggy and not one, not two, but THREE babies with her. I thought I did well with babies, but she has me beat ;-) We played at the park and came back and dined on sandwiches for lunch. I had PB and she had jam. We read a couple of story books and in the midst of my reading "Cendrillon" (which is Cinderella in French) she fell asleep.

Being with children is a great reminder of how the very simplest of things can be the greatest pleasures. As my own children grow and have become influenced by school and older friends, I often secretly lament the loss of those simple days. Sure my children still like the park, and walking with me, and having books read to them. But at their age, the like what we are doing, like having time with me, but they are also looking for more. The trip to the park is nice, but it's better if there are friends to go play with. They like lunch with me, but pizza lunch at school is far superior. My husband and I make the effort to keep our children's lives simple and to enjoy what nature gives us (walks in the woods, time outside, time together)and I do not think of my children as being spoiled or in any way have they become disenchanted with us, or us with them. Rather their lives are evolving, they are broadening their social skills and are growing up. And that is okay, better than okay, that is fantastic (if a little bit sad for their Mommy).

But I digress. There is something really magical about the younger set. This little girl today was happy to just be out walking... it wasn't about what was next, she was happy to push her little dolly stroller, to talk to the squirrels, to say hello to neighbors. Having lunch together was a real treat, it does not get any simpler than PB & J sandwiches, but it could have been 5 star dining to her.

I haven't spent a cent today (other than utilities and fixed expenses of course) as a matter of fact, I am earning money. I am earning an income, and I am able to stay in this suspended era of childhood. To be able to see my own beautiful children growing and changing and all the mystery and wonder that surrounds that is undeniably the best thing in my life and that of my husband's. But I find it such a treat to be able to spend my time being with children in different childhood stages as well. To go back and spend time with a one year old, or a 3 year old.. to revisit those stages with some life experience, that is so awesome.