country mice in the city

…In their development, we can see the extent to which our children feel protected.  Surrounded by those they love, they make extraordinary leaps, fantastic moments of revelation and mastery.  At our urging or prodding?  Never.  In flashes they show us who they are…reveling their golden, essential selves.  And as parents we live for such moments….

-excerpt from Simplicity Parenting

{my sister’s hood}

{alice’s tea cup for lunch}

{dylan’s candy bar}

{brooklyn children’s museum}

{goodbye.}

 I never knew I’d feel such strong protective urges on a trip that I’ve taken many times alone.  With my little chick-a-dee along my side, I was extra sensitive to everything new to her world.  The smells and sounds and noise of train stations, subway stations and busy streets, the variety of people you stand closely to on public transportation and what comes out of their mouths, the constant stimulation, the constant moving and mindfulness being out in the city with children, being in uncomfortable situations and making the most of it, jumping into the fast pace life of the city, etc., etc…

And there was my Caroline.  Taking it all in and doing it so gracefully.  Watching her cousins in nervous situations and following their confident lead.   Being bold and so much herself in so many new situations.  Proving to me over and over again that she is a strong, confident child.

And as parents we live for such moments…. 

the sleepy time gal