Assi in Hawaii, age 4 or 5
Oh, to be a child. No real stress, no need to “figure out your life,” no financial obligations. All you do is eat, sleep, poop.  The only things that consume your day are the little details like who is watching you go down the slide, what music is playing and do you know the words to “ring around the rosie,” how many times can you turn a towel around without getting bored, etc. People constantly surround you in an effort to protect you and your every move, or they do crazy movements and make ridiculous sounds in an attempt to entertain you (when really you entertain them).   As you can see from the photo above of me as a child, I loved to entertain, but the little details caused me to be a very sensitive and serious gal.
This weekend I have spent nearly all my time following my niece around and playing. Whenever I come home now my family always asks, “What do you want to do while you are home?” My answer: “Just stay home and play.” Without question, she is another soul mate in my life. The day I arrived she fought taking a nap because she knew I was soon to drive up, then she greeted me with giggle after giggle after giggle (amazing for someone who is only 19 months old and have not seen in 16 weeks).  She can say my name and does a great job of calling me to play all the live long day.  I have taken pictures of my time home, but of course all 29387592375 of them are of her. Yes, I am in love.
Tomorrow, back to reality and away from the dream world of childhood. Oh, to be a child again.