I absolutely love children. I love the way they view the world. I love the wonder and sense of accomplishment they show when they've just figured something out or created something for the first time, and I simply adore the childlike ability to imagine a world of infinite possibilities.
I'm finally beginning to learn a bit more about the personalities of the kids here, and there is one child in particular whose ingenuity and imagination both impress and delight me.
Johnny is truly an amazing kid. He is always building something. During playground time, he begs me to come build a tent with him (three sticks, a bit of string, scraps from a plastic bag, and a whole lot of imagination). He used some plastic lids and a few sticks to build a passably human-like "robot." He watched Lion King today, and just an hour later I found him in the play room making a 3D lion out of giant Lego blocks and these little magnetic sticks. He made it too tall and long at first. I suggested that he shorten the legs and the body, and he replied with, "Good idea. That way it won't be so heavy."
Johnny is an interesting character. In a lot of ways he is a leader and very extroverted. I kind of think of Johnny and Elias as my dynamic duo. There really is no limit to what might happen, good or bad, when the two of them are together. Johnny is also perfectly happy breaking off by himself though. There are times when he seems to prefer it-- like when he is building something. Nothing sets him off like a baby accidentally rolling into his giant block tower or a game of tag barreling through his stick-and-sand city.
My other child-fascination-of-the-day is Janet. She is the only one of the children (who can walk and talk) who shows little to no interest in interacting with me. I rarely get a smile from her. Today on the playground I was explaining to Queenie about how roots on a plant work (after she accidentally wacked Denny in the face with some massive plant that she had pulled up). As per usual, three or four other kids were instantly by my side the instant I knelt down. Janet hovered a few feet away. She was obviously listening at least a little, but she made no move at all to join us. I'm honestly not sure what to make of it.
I could go on and on about every other child here, but Jasmine just brought in a tray of cookies, and if you've ever eaten anything made by Jasmine then you understand why that must take priority.
Much love!
Mickey here... Maybe Janet is intimidated by you, or by the other kids. I often had trouble in group situations as a child, and often didn't know what to say to people. She probably wants to be a part of things but doesn't know how, so she stays back on the edge of it, just listening.
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