Decorative Teapots put away - check
Dogs water bowl picked up - check
Dog food dishes picked up - check
Fireplace wall switch blocked - check
Candy dish out of reach - check
Night light removed from wall socket - check
Outlet covers in place - check
Stairway gate in position - check
Heavy decorator objects placed in the wooden chest - check
Next we quickly run around and close all the doors - especially the bathroom door since toddlers are famous for flushing incredibly large objects down the toilet.
Then we eagerly await the arrival of The Toddler. As they pull up to the house I go rushing out to greet them - not sure who is more excited about this visit - The Toddler or Nonie. Upon arrival, the fun begins...the laughter of a toddler in the house fills my heart to overflowing. Watching the antics of a toddler are enough to make anyone's head spin in dizziness. The energy exuded running and jumping and climbing make me want to take a nap! And as I listen to the long drawn out gibberish and see the seriousness of the story being told - I am in awe of how that little mind is working non-stop. Sometimes in very calculated and devious ways. The Toddler waits and waits for just that moment when Nonie turns her back and in a split second The Toddler scoots behind the table and reaches for the fireplace switch. But Nonie is smarter than a 2 year old...fat chance little one...caught ya!!!
Inside/outside...inside/outside. The Toddler prefers outside most definitely. The sheer delight this child finds in the out of doors tells me she will be a Naturalist. Our backyard is pretty big and she walks the entire width and breadth with me picking up sticks and leaves and stones, poking at flowers and bugs and making a little nonsensical comment about each one. The wonder and amazement in her bright eyes is so sincere, so genuine, so inspired. She is in her element -- the great outdoors.
The dogs have followed us outside and traipse behind us also stopping to sniff and investigate. The Toddler observes as they begin to play and rough house. This is obviously not okay with her. They do sound like they are angry at each other and in her mind this needs to stop at once. In her finest Dog Police stance and her most authoritative voice she commands the dogs to"Geswap!" The dogs stop for a moment, look at her and then continue on with what they were doing. When they do not obey, The Toddler simply walks away and is on to the next adventure. Ooooh, she sees a big bowl of water which she naturally picks up and dumps out and then proceeds to jump in the water puddle on the patio. She is happy as a clam.
Running through the stones, tiptoeing through the grass, running through the house, climbing up on chairs and then down again, chasing the dogs, dancing to music, opening and closing cabinets, hiding in the pantry, pushing the car, pulling the horsey, dragging the little chair, sliding down the wall, laying on the floor to roll, roll, roll - never-ending, never stopping, always in motion, mind thinking and absorbing and learning until....then mom and dad show up and they get in the car to go home.
Before they reach the end of the block I get a text from her mom that says, "I think she had fun!!!"
So did Nonie and Poppa!!!
Children are a gift from God - to be treasured as a rare jewel, appreciated for how they are, valued for who they are and loved unconditionally and without measure. I find The Toddler especially wonderful and amazing!!
"Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from Him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them..."
Psalm 127:3-5a
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