Oh those little kidlets!

So I have been having difficulty finding something that I thought was "worthy" to write about, haha, which is just cruel to all of my activities that didn't make the cut. I've just started to get very particular, I suppose, and am looking for themes to write about. So, today's theme is: KIDS!

I had a day full of child-like inspiration today that all started on the streetcar. It started out pretty usual, I sat down, checked my phone 4 times, the usual. A few stops later two mothers and their 3 children (collectively) got on the streetcar and chose the seats directly next to me to sit in. They came in with a roar of jibber jabber, and I instantly felt my hand grab for my ipod in my pocket. Just as I did, however, I remembered that I had forgotten to charge it, and it would be of no use to me.

Now, depending on my mood, I would sometimes sit there in pain and anger for the ride, or get so fed up that I would fake the following scenario: I get up quickly and move to the doors further up front in the streetcar because I think I need to get off at the next stop and then just as I am stepping onto the step I am looking out the window and realize it's not the right one. I linger near for a stop and then sit down closer to where I am now standing, and further away from the noise. Whew. That's a lot of work just to move away from some noise.

Anyway, I was feeling rather chipper, and decided to take advantage of the situation, so instead of ignoring the chatter, I embraced it and became a nosey nancy. I started to listen in, and my god it was hilarious. I found out that a little girl and boy who were both 6 and a half and were sitting together were the reason why the two families became friends. They were sitting together and commenting on things they saw out the window. At first I thought it was a game where they had to name what they saw, and then I realized they were just verbalizing their observations for something to do, and I guess a way to connect... perhaps.

At the next stop quite a few people got on the streetcar and a woman sat directly in front of the two children on one of those sideways chairs, so she was directly in their view. She tried to look away and pretend she wasn't in the personal bubble of two children, but they did not. Right away they said hello, and the little girl asked her how she was. The lady smiled and said fine. She instantly came out of her ttc shell. Next the little girl (who seemed to be the more vocal of the couple) proceeded to tell her that she and Michael were best friends who had been best friends since Jr. kindergarten 2 years before, and they still go to school together, and that they are going to get married they have decided, (The little boy concurred) and they will have 2 kids, one boy and one girl. The lady smiled and laughed quietly at this. At this point one of the mothers peeked over to check in, and the woman recounted the tale she had just been told. They both laughed and the woman said "Well, that sounds like a plan. " "Yup" the little boy agreed. "Well, you better help with that too" she said addressing the little boy "Oh I know." He replied. "I'll have to kiss her." Amazing.

It will never stop amazing me how hilarious children are, and how constantly surprised I am by this. After this ride I went to see a children's show and was in the theatre with a lot of little ones who are always so involved verbally in live theatre. They were shouting, warning the characters of what they thought would happen, and laughing with no limits when they thought something was hilarious. It is the pure honesty and no social filters that will always continue to be funny for me. Anyone who has performed in children's theatre or worked with children can attest to their hilarity. It reminded me of when I had acted in a children's show and one of the characters came on wearing a moustache and out of nowhere one child stood up and shouted "He's wearing a moustache!" So simple, but something about the very obvious observation was too much for most of us to handle and we were all trying desperately to keep from breaking into laughter.

Later on I did some shopping and picked up a toy for a children's toy drive one of my co-workers is spearheading. I am quite picky with children's toys after working in a toy store for 6 years: It has to be durable (no cheap shit), last through many age groups and be versatile enough that it promotes uncensored creativity. What I mean by that is there are so many toys that promote creativity within a format (such as colouring in already drawn pictures) which is great, but I much prefer things that promote outside of the box (or lines in this instance) creativity. The toys where the child makes up all of the rules, and every games is different. No fancy stuff: The basics! Blocks! Lego! Paint! I ended up getting a foam alphabet block set where they can make blocks or a mat or spell out words... versatility! I'm sure my rules on toys will get more lax when/ if I actually have children of my own, but I can keep my idealistic views for now. :)

I continued my child-like afternoon by buying myself a little bag of cookies for a treat. They were quinoa cookies and were extremely healthy... and they were disgusting. I needed to buy a brownie to wash them down.

Love and kindness all.