so much joy

I love the toddler stage. I've spent many years with many precious toddlers, and I've loved them all. 

One of my favorite things about toddlers is the way they remind me how much joy can be found in things right in front of us. 

I was reminded of this tonight as I ran in circles around the living room. Johnnie had set up the whole event: the lights were off, he was waving around a flashlight, and the "Police Car Song" by Blippi was playing loudly as we ran and ran and ran around the rug. He was laughing and shrieking, so happy to be doing exactly what he wanted in that moment. It brought me so much joy to watch him in his. 

But I remember so many moments like this with so many other sweet little ones. 

I remember with my buddy Remi, how enthralled he would be at bathtime when I would pour water in a small stream out of a cup - he would watch that stream with a smile on his face for as long as I would keep going. 

I remember with my buddy Milo, when he would swing and I would pretend tell him, "Don't run into me...," how he would belly laugh when I let him "kick" me and pretend to fall down, over and over and over.

I remember when I met Lucy, only a few years past being a toddler, she loved to swing and kick a ball that I would throw - the simplest game, but she would get home from school and immediately want to play "kick the ball." 

I remember with toddler Zinni, how much she loved to be wrapped up in a towel after her bath and swung around in my arms as I sang, "A Whole New World." 

Such precious little people and such precious memories. So much joy.