I took this photo of a box that CM uses for her collected treasures because it reminds me how wonderful – literally, full of wonder – the world is from a child’s eyes. From early on, she has been a scavenger. Of acorns, sticks, loose change (because it’s shiny, not because it’s money), broken parts of who-knows-what from I’m-afraid-to-ask-where, any thing and every thing. And the tinier the better. Although it can be annoying and disconcerting to find dozens of acorns or hardware from our home improvement projects in the bottom of the washing machine, I love how she sees value in and wonders at the most mundane items. Lately she has taken to assembling these parts into “inventions” for what purpose is not clear to anyone but her. Notice that there is even a compartment for lint in that box.
CM turned four on Wednesday. We picked her up from school and spent the afternoon as a foursome. A fairly quiet culmination to the weeks of celebrations we’ve had. This was the first year that we splurged on a big present. And what I realized is that it is still (and hopefully always will be) the experiences that are more worthwhile than the things. She got more of a thrill from going to her favorite pizza place, winning a whoopie cushion at the arcade and having her friends come play at the house and her family visit her, than she has from her fancy new dollhouse or any one of her new toys in particular. She enjoys the toys, don’t get me wrong, but they’re not what matters or leaves the biggest impression. I heard her telling a girl at the park that she had an “awesome” birthday. When asked, “what did you get?” She said, “ummmm…..”
Another valuable lesson learned recently: some things (i.e., jack-o-lanterns) are best left until the last minute. We were so proud and excited that we were ahead of schedule this year and had already made a trip to a local pumpkin patch and carved out our decorations. Only to learn that those things have barely more longevity than snowmen in the warmth and humidity of October down here. So, I have to post a picture of our creations because they’re already in the trash or on their way there soon.
