When my mother-in-law was in town a few week ago to meet little Thyme, she bought Tessa her very first kiddie pool.
Tessa is our little water bug. I have to keep all the bathroom doors closed, and keep stools and chairs out of the kitchen, or Tessa will climb onto the counters and sit in the sink, splashing around and singing to herself while the faucet runs full blast. So this gift was perfect for her!
Watching Tessa play in her kiddie pool, I realized something. My husband and I are turning 30 this summer (I seriously gave myself a mini-heart attack just typing that out.. when did I grow up?!) but we still feel like teenagers. I always figured I’d be a good mom because I still retain my sense of childlike joy and wonder.
I still like to play dress up (as evidenced by my cosplay hobby) and I’m always on the lookout for a new adventure. I have this “relate to kids” thing DOWN, I tells ya!
But despite my Peter Pan-eqsue vows to “never grow up!”, my daughters are reminding me daily how decades of work, school, social and family obligations coupled with the everyday woes, worries and sins of this world can slowly chip away childhood innocence in sneaky ways you may not even realize.
Watching Tessa so enthralled by seemingly mundane things, like the way light reflects off of water droplets in a kiddie pool, or watching Thyme blink up into my face with such open, trusting wonder – it reminds me that there is so much more to life than the grand adventures, the experiences and even the fun “things”, like splashing around in a pool.
Yes, those events, activities and actions are important – but the way we experience them can be so much deeper, so much more meaningful.
The kiddie pool is the forest, but the sun, the water, the very air are the leaves on the trees, so to speak.
I know exactly what you mean, I’ll be turning 27 this year and I still feel like a teenager, too. At what point will I feel like a “proper” adult? But it is so very true, we need to stop and enjoy the little things in life, and I’ve slowly learned to slow down a little and just savour the moments. I love the psalm you chose, let us rejoice indeed 🙂
♥.•*¨ AmandaSays ¨*•.♥
Yeah, I don’t know when I’ll feel like a proper adult either.. I used to think I would when I got married.. when I had kids.. when I bought a house.. nope, nope, and nope! Haha!
She is such a stunner! I used to love the paddling pool when I was younger!
I am 30 next summer. Doom.
Corinne x
Oh! So agree! This kiddie pool takes me back! It’s too cold for us to have a kiddie pool until September (crazy coastal North. Cal). I am buying one this year!
I absolutely love this post! I still have two years before I hit 30, but I am already noticing how important it is to stop and enjoy the little things in life. Whenever I’m with my niece and nephew, I act like a kid along with them. It’s so much fun to just let go and experience life for what it’s worth. I may be in my late 20s, but I will still sing pop songs out loud in public with my nephew. I will still run around the park and play tag. Life doesn’t have to stop once you reach a certain age.
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Oh man. So far I’m older than all the commenters. THIS SUCKS. haha! 😉
But I totally agree with you.. well said! <3
The little ones do teach us something about life don’t they? I swear it’s the same with mine. Sometimes I look at him and wonder where did time go and he’s already turning one. Felt like only yesterday when I first hold him in my arms.
Your little one is so adorable and I think most kids would love to have a little kiddie splash pool!
Shireen | Reflection of Sanity
Yeah, I swear time speeds up when you have little ones!! It’s insane!!
Sweet, sweet little one! Just too fun!
But, alas, no bathing suits around here yet! Brrr ….
Sabbath joys to you, friend!
I love all the pictures of your cutie!! And, you are right – our kids teach us a lot!!
Felling good!
the topic is incredible.
Yes we should try to “Take Time To Enjoy the Little Things”
krl
http://www.clippingpathoutsource.com
<3
I love this post so much. It’s definitely such a good lesson to learn. 🙂 Your daughter is beautiful, those pictures of her are so lovely. I also really love what you said: “I always figured I’d be a good mom because I still retain my sense of childlike joy and wonder.” I’ve kinda always felt the same way! Hehe I’m just not quite sure on the kids thing yet. ;P
xx Alyssa — fragments of memories
Thank you Alyssa! And I’m sure you’ll make an amazing mom someday.. being a big kid is a prerequisite in my mind! hehe! <3
tessa is a water bug for sure! 🙂 i love this post gingi. i always tell everyone that i feel born again after having children b/c you experience life through their eyes and it’s pretty darn amazing.
love, liz
http://www.stylewich.com
These photos are so cute, Have a great weekend
xo
http://www.laurajaneatelier.com
Brilliantly written! This is why we need children. They remind us to look for more each and every day, because it is so much more fun to live that way!
Yeah, just when you’ve “seen it all”, God give us little ones to see it all over again, from new eyes! 😉
These pictures are so cute!!
Melanie @ meandmr.com
Gingi, I think when we open our minds to our children we can learn much more than we ever believed possible… ♡
I couldn’t agree with this more Gingi. There is nothing greater than watching a child discover the wonder of the world. My kiddos made me stop and look at nature, dinosaurs, rain puddles, and pots and pans in the magical way that they saw those things.
I never really “got it” before having kids, when people would say they “learn so much” from them.. but nooooow I get it! <3 Kids are such a blessing!
She looks like she is having a grand time in the kiddie pool! I’m turning 30 in a few weeks, and the thought of really being an adult is rather terrifying…
Right?!?!?!?
Awww, Tessa is so adorable <3 Lovely post – the headline says it all 🙂
The photos are adorable. I love what you have to say too. There’s so much in life to appreciate and rejoice in.
She is adorable! I try to live in every moment and not just be in the moment x
Florals&Smiles
Twitter
<3 It's a good life lesson!
Oh, I had a pool like that as well. Memories. 🙂 I still feel like a teenager as well. I don’t think that will change anytime soon. It’s definitely a good thing in my opinion.
Same here!! <3
Yes you are right,
Your baby is so cute
XO
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aaww.. so adorable and precious!! 😀
have a great week!
Animated Confessions
Gingi … she is absolutely adorable, your pictures have bought tears of happiness to my eyes. Take time to enjoy ALL that having children can and does bring. It is not always easy but so rewarding. I now have the pleasure of enjoying grand-children.
Never quite grow up … enjoy the magic and the goodness that surrounds us. Pass on that bit of goodness to someone else – at times our world needs a little extra help.
Great pictures – thanks so much for sharing.
All the best Jan
Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful response!! I am so blessed and happy to have so many blogging friends that “get it”! <3 <3 *hugs*
Awww she is so cute! Amazing photos!
xx
cvetybaby.com
Ahh she’s such a cutie <3 we do forget to enjoy the little things in life on a daily basis, a thing we should do more often 🙂
Serene xoxo
http://www.imserenel.wordpress.com
Tessa looks so happy playing in the pool, so cute! Thanks for sharing these lovely pictures of her!
Prudence
http://www.prudencepetitestyle.com
<3 <3
Such crystal clear photos! I’m smiling from joy just seeing them. I love reading Psalms! Poetry for the soul
xo Bry
AudreyHepburn.Naughty&Nice
What an amazing message, and so important to remember! Your daughter is absolutely beautiful!
xo,
Jessica
http://www.fortheloveofbubbly.com
Thanks!! <3
They certainly do school us, don’t they?? We’re like you, but I’m a few years older than 30 and Cassidy is more than a few years.. but we still dress up and go to cosplay events, and we play and we garden and we jump in the sprinkler!
I don’t see why society deems you must STOP doing those things to “grow up”.. how lame is THAT?! hehe..
You area so right, Gingi. Our children can be the biggest teachers. They remind us of the important things, they provide opportunity for us to be our best, and the challenges they throw at us are weaved with lessons. So happy you are enjoying those simple. special moments with yours.
I really enjoyed reading this post, and the pictures are so nice! Do enjoy the little things in life dear! I do have some time left till hitting 30 (9 years to go) and I hope to have a family as wonderful as yours by that time!
XO IMKE // http://www.pastellics.com
Gingi – I love this post. Your daughter is beautiful and it looks like she’s having so much fun. Despite my growing up, I still learn to play and create. It’s difficult on days when I teach, work at Starbucks, and try to fit in a workout; however, that’s partially why I started my own blog. I wanted to create a space where my options and creativity were boundless. I find that exploring nature through hiking and traveling is the best way for me to get grounded. <3
Aww, thank you.. and yeah, don’t ever get so busy that you forget to LIVE! Sounds like you have a fun life.. I used to work at Starbucks too! <3
That’s what I love the most, and always try to spend as much time with my nieces as possible!!! 😉 xo
Yup, I still feel like I’m 27 and am sometimes so shocked when I realize how old I am! I think it’s a good attitude to have. And yes, I learned from my eldest when he was a toddler that there is no rushing a kid. Everything is new to them, and they marvel at the simplest things. It’s something that should definitely be encouraged.
Yeah, sometimes I hear my age and think, “Is this for reals?” It’s totally shocking.. where did the time go?!?!? lol!
Wonderful reminder! One of the things I always thought strange about myself; my ability to be so excited about things that may or not be the biggest things. Like a trip to Target, or a bowl of ice-cream. If it’s not normal, then I don’t want to be lol. I turned 30 this year and it’s not bad at all.
http://rhythmandruffle.com <3
I’m constantly amazed by howmuch there is to see in nature particularly, the detail that we haven’t seen before, even if we think ‘I’ve seen this a thousand times before’.
I have been wondering how you were doing. Love the pictures. Kiddie pools are so much fun and kids can really help us enjoy the little things.
LOL, have you seen my most recent post? 😉
I love this post, she is so adorable 🙂 Little moments can often pass by way too quickly before we fully appreciate them!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Aww I really love this! I always think to enjoy the little things in life, becuase they sometimes bring us the biggest rewards and joys! Hope you’re well 🙂 Em xx
http://edoublemamurray.blogspot.com.au/
Turning 30 is not bad, you’re young (at least compared to me) – I think we had this ‘conversation’ a few months back 🙂 We are never too old to enjoy just about anything. Let others think we’re crazy, why should we care?! We need to dream, we need to feel alive. I hope you will be able to maintain this spirit, Gingi, while teaching your own kids.
These photos are just beautiful! Your reflections are lovely too. It’s so easy to become distracted by the busy responsibility of everyday life with children and miss out on the wonder.
OMG, how cute!
lena
http://skinnycature.com/fun-world-traveller/