Just Like Kids Again

So this week, I let down my hair a little bit.  I'm pretty good at playing with the kids, but it's just been so dang hot lately that sometimes I choose to watch from the sidelines.  Anthony was over one day this week and the kids finally got to swim.  It's been such weird, unpredictable weather that we haven't had as many backyard swim days lately.  I got them all suited up and slathered them with sunscreen and then decided to put my suit on too.  Luckily I didn't get sunburned.  I wasn't sure what the outcome would be with two preschoolers in charge of rubbing the sunscreen on my back.  I filled up the pool and went to turn on the sprinklers for the kids.  Next thing you know, they're throwing water at me and I'm running away screaming like a school girl.  Dylan thought it was so funny to get me wet and have me run away screaming.  I finally stole the hose away from Anthony and soaked all three of them.  Preston was still sitting in the same place splashing in the pool.  He LOVES the water.  What a fun afternoon!  I don't have any pictures to show for our spectacular event...I was too busy enjoying myself! 

Another time, we went to the park to play.  The kids both loved the swings and played on them a lot.  Marcos and I sat there pushing our two boys.  It was cute watching Dylan climb up the bars and then slide back down.  It's a trick he couldn't do last year.  He's getting to be so big.  It's hard to believe he's my little boy now and not my baby.  Preston learned about another bridge that goes up instead of down and he was so pleased that he could go over the bridge without holding onto anything.  It was the sweetest thing to watch him waddle across that bridge faster and faster each time, giggling with excitement.  Later, I witnessed my social butterfly talking to another boy about 6 or 7.  He said to him, "Hey, do you want to be my friend?"  I don't know if that's a Dylan thing or a 4-year-old thing, but he always asks people to play with him or to be his friend.  He's very direct that way and usually makes friends quite easily.  Anyway, the boy acted really put off by a younger kid talking to him and just ignored Dylan's question.  Part of me wanted to cry or intervene as I watched the hurt creep onto Dylan's face, but I'm mature enough to understand that rejection is part of life and something our children will all experience to one degree or another.  He must be growing up.  He used to get really mad (and sometimes still does) but this time he just walked away to another area of the park and found some other kids who did want to be his friend.  I was so proud of him.  Man, if only we could shelter our kids from such pain.  I'm sure that's what the Lord feels about each of us.  Unfortunately, it's a necessary growing process.  But, despite the moment of sadness on my part, it was such a carefree day at the park.  

Another day, Dylan begged and begged us to jump on the tramp with him.  It took awhile, but we finally gave in.  It's been so hot that our poor swamp cooler is lucky to keep the house bearable right now, let alone comfortable so getting all sweaty, hot and tired isn't always super appealing.  We decided we didn't care and went outside to jump.  It was so much fun.  Just the four of us out on the tramp taking turns bouncing each other.  I held Preston on my lap while Dylan and Marcos bounced us pretty high.  Then we switched and Dylan and I bounced Marcos and Preston.  It was hard work, but so much fun.  I was laughing so hard I'm sure the neighbors wondered what was up at the Uboldi home.  I love moments where you can just enjoy life instead of worrying about what happens next.  If there's one thing my kids teach me, it's that.  My house wasn't as clean as I would've liked, but we made some good memories this week.