In the middle of allergic reactions to unknown things, internet outtages for a week of silence, stingy caterpillar hair season leaving little burns on your skin as the hairs get blown in the wind or dry on your clothes, and the busy world of language acquisition, it’s important to stop and be a kid.

It’s important to cover your feet in the bean bin and laugh when you pull them out quickly. It’s important to squeal at water play days, jumping full-force into the big bins we bought down at the Chinese store for a few bucks.

It’s important to go on walks with Mommy, just you and Mommy and her language conversant, stopping to watch the chickens run through a nearby park and feeling the Marginal’s breeze.

It’s important to pretend to be the newest market find, being carried home in a hurry.

It’s important to strap your beloved toys on your back like African babies

and ride in those rickety car carts at the local Chinese store!

It’s important to start an impromptu water fight with Emilia, laughing that she graciously and delightfully played along getting completely drenched. (My goodness how I love Emilia and her willingness to all-out play along.)

So important to take a silly picture in the middle of that long, hot church service

And yes, it’s even important to climb into that laundry basket for a good hiding spot.

Yes, it’s super important to continue finding childhood amidst the adult realities of Africa – laughing at your drying stuffed animals post allergic reaction washing.

We all benefit from a little extra childhood delight for sure. 😉

-Thankful, grateful and beyond blessed.