Color

Come the last week of August I will begin caring for a two and a half year old little boy. Having just gotten back into caring for little ones I've been a little apprehensive about taking on a toddler full time. What have I forgotten? Am I still organized and energetic enough to care for more than one little one at a time?

Yesterday I went with a friend, who is presently watching the boy I will be inheriting from her in August, to a playgroup that they attend on a weekly basis. I thought it would be a good idea for me to spend some time with him before August and also get a feel for the playgroup as I intend to carry on this tradition. When we left the playgroup I had the answers to my questions - sort of and yes, respectively!

I have forgotten - I've forgotten the incredibly LOUD sound it makes when you put twenty plus toddlers in a room together! It is the most uplifting, invigorating sound I know. Even the cries are invigorating because they evoke in me a call to action, "What can I do to help?" "How can I make it all better?". You're always calling on your problem solving skills when you're around little ones. Of course, they're not always open to the solutions!

Apparently the trash can had been moved since the last playgroup and I got the biggest kick out of watching the kids attempt to throw their trash away after snack time. One by one they'd come running up to where the trash used to be, enthusiastically anticipating a "Good job!" from mom or caregiver for their willingness to clean up after themselves, only to be met by a big barrel filled with blocks. The look on their faces was priceless! They'd stand there looking utterly confused and stare at the blocks, not saying a word, as if in disbelief. Maybe if they stood there and stared long enough the garbage can would re-appear? Then they would start scanning the room and if they didn't see the trash can you'd hear a loud "HEY!" or some chose to run back to the table and leave the garbage there. After watching this for a few minutes I decided to park myself closer to the blocks so I could redirect the flow toward the trash can seeing as it seemed kind of mean to continue to watch this happening. Mostly my directive was met with appreciative smiles but I also got a few loud, "Hmph's", as if to imply how DARE you move my trash can when I was just getting the hang of this! Have you ever read that book, Who Moved my Cheese? Well apparently all you have to do to rock a toddlers world is move their trash can! Oh, how quickly we become attached to our routines.

I'd also forgotten how good it feels to be surrounded by bright colors. Bright blue homemade play dough (how much did you used to love playing with playdough?). A rice table (can you say MESS?) with the rice dyed hot pink and bright blue, blocks of every primary color, tissue paper of every shade of purple you can imagine cut into little squares waiting patiently for the kids to come glue them in place and turn them into beautiful butterflies. Yellows and greens, reds and blues, purple and pinks. I wonder at what age we allow ourselves to be taken over by nuetrals!

I think people who surround themselves with color have an ability to see a more colorful, joyful world. How many times have you felt yourself being drawn toward a couch, or a piece of clothing or some funky, colorful shoes only to talk yourself out of it, convincing yourself that it's too loud or even worse (drumroll please), "Inappropriate"? God forbid we risk being inappropriate!

I remember when a couple who moved into our neighborhood decided to paint their front door and shutters pink. The chatter in the "hood" went something like this, "Can you believe the poodle people (they own two poodles and always walk them in the middle of the road, thus the name) painted their door and shutters pink? Oh my GOD, it's the most hideous thing I've ever seen! What were they thinking?", etc., etc.. I decided I had to see for myself so I took a walk down the street of mainly tan, brown, grey and white houses and when I came to the poodle people's house I felt myself smiling. I thought it was the prettiest shade of salmon pink and it looked lovely against their light grey siding. They had placed a wreath on the front door which broke up the color a bit and planted pink flowers amidst other colors in a flower box on their front walk which I thought brought it all together beautifully. I was thinking as I walked home, "Really? THIS is what all the hubbub was about? Really?!"

I think young kids are still in a highly spiritual state, having just been sent from God. They haven't had time to be tainted by the world yet. That leads me to believe that bright colors are representative of Gods beauty. Why else are we mesmerized when we catch sight of a rainbow? Why else do we find peace in the colors of a vibrant sunset? Color's where it's at if you ask me!

Anyway...being at this playgroup brought back memories of my pre-school teaching days. I've known the woman who facilitates this group for years and I told her my instinct was screaming at me to jump right in and help her. That feeling answered those questions for me. It's like riding a bike, you forget but it comes right back once you hop on. Being around small children feeds my energy level. I equate it to going to a restaurant that's not busy at all and getting lousy service vs. going to a very busy restaurant and getting great service. The chaotic environment breeds the motivation. Just as yawns are contagious, so is high energy.

I will do just fine watching two little ones. I'll do more than fine, I'll start living in color again. Don't be surprised if the next time you see me I'm wearing something completely loud and inappropriate!

Talk to you soon...think I'll go hide the trash can on my husband and see what happens!

xo,
Carrie