simple pleasures

As we planned our cross-country drive, I put Meredith in charge of finding kid-friendly hotels.  I’ve already mentioned how adept she is at finding restaurants and excursions.  She knows what her boys like, and a swimming pool at the end of a long day of driving is high on the list.  However, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the hotel that looked most attractive to Meredith and me was a boutique hotel, located on the river downtown, and it had no pool.  Once we were in our rooms, we opted for a walk across the bridge and along the Sioux River.

We didn’t get far before we found this dancing fountain.  At first the boys were tentative, putting their feet in and avoiding the shots and spurts of water that came randomly up from the ground.  But it was a hot afternoon, and soon they were drenched to the bone and loving every minute of it.

Their enjoyment was contagious, as others came by, removed their shoes and started dancing and splashing in the refreshing water.  However, no one else got quite as wet as Campbell and Warren.

The most endearing thing about childhood is seeing that it really doesn’t take much to make kids happy.  Everything is an adventure.  And when they find the fun, they are all in.  Recently, I read that people who have frequent interactions with their grandchildren live longer.  The richness of experiencing the world through a child’s eyes blesses us emotionally and physically as well. 

I have been most blessed.

Love, Liz