Beaches, BaBas, and Bubble Beards

This summer I learned how to be a child again. There is something to be said of the simplicity of childhood. When your only care is whether you have rice or pasta for dinner. When you can imagine whole worlds and interact with dolls like they are real people in the confines of your bedroom. 

I got to spend this summer with the some of the sweetest kids on the planet. They helped me remember the simple pleasures in life and to enjoy the moment.

Some of my favorite quotes of the summer include:
"Maddie do you know what having patience means? 'Cause you're not being very patient with me right now."
"I'm being such a laffy taffy right now I can't stop!"
"I need a TOWOOL!" (towel)
"Whenever I do what frozen things do in..." "SUMMER!"
(Asking for a kiss) "Bear, what do mommys want?" "Coke?"
"D13, Like Devo-13, Like my name!"
"Watch ost? Ost!"
"Did you know that the word 'energy' sounds just like the letters N-R-G?"
"Sister Sharp! When'd your baby chunk out?" (Ya'll)
"I'm a little tired I kinda want to take a nap." "Or you could pretend that you already took a nap and come play with me."
"I wuv my Maddie."


One of the most extraordinary things about little kids is that they are completely and 100% honest. They haven't learned how to be deceiving or manipulative. They wear their hearts on their sleeves and can spot fake people in an instant. So you know that when a child says that they love you, they mean it.

                                                                                                 
                                                         I learned to look outside myself. 

  I rediscovered the simple joys of life. 

Things like rocking a baby to sleep, 

And walking along the beach holding a sandy little hand. 

Things like dressing up as princesses, 

And making beards out of bubbles.

Things like pouring hundreds of babas

And braiding Elsa hair.

Things like butterfly gummies, 

And plastic nail polish.

Things like slobbery kisses,

   And making cotton candy cookies,
Things like Disney World,

   And the tooth fairy,
 Things like falling asleep with a baby on your chest,

  And searching for three hours to find a yellow ball.

Truth be told, I miss smelling like baby formula. I miss changing diapers and I even miss getting thrown up on. I left a piece of my heart in Florida with those sweet babies. I needed this summer to learn and to grow, to settle down and refocus. I will be forever grateful for the chance I had to spend a summer with the Sharp family.