The Exuberant Play of Children

Since becoming a mother a full 17 years ago, I would have to say that there is nothing that quite matches the joy of watching my children play. Something about their uninhibited exuberance, their creativity, their freedom from cares makes me smile ear to ear and gets my heart doing all kinds of crazy mom-palpitations.

This particular day, they invented the Water Park Trampoline in which a hose is brought to the trampoline, it's turned on, and the games ensue: games such as Jump the Water, Who Can Slip and Slide the Farthest on the Wet Mat, and How Long Can You Stand Having the Water Sprayed in Your Face Before You Go Tell Mom.






May I insert here two caveats?

Number one - Please do not turn me in to the Department of Social Services because of the unsafe nature of this trampoline. I am well aware that the net is disintegrating and there is a hole the size of a dinner plate in the center of the mat. You'll feel better when I post about a new purchase later this week.

Number two - Please do not turn me in to my neighborhood Homeowner's Association because of the ragged, eyesore condition of this trampoline. I am well aware that our trampoline is an embarrassment to the neighborhood and probably brings down everyone's property value a full $25,000. This concern will also be addressed later this week.

In the meantime, let me just blissfully enjoy that heady combination of brilliant sunshine; icy cold water; bouncing, flipping bodies; and the delicious, happy shrieks of delighted children.

Unless you're only 6 . . .

and everyone tells you you're not big enough . . .

and when you get on anyway, you get sprayed in the face . . .

and so you get off . . .

and feel you are the most mistreated child . . .

in the whole, wide world.

Then, it's not so delicious, happy, or delightful.