We've been lucky that past few weeks, in a "snowing all the time" sort of way. Several days of modest snowfall have accumulated to allow a good deal of outdoor, wintry fun. For those of you without kids, that translates to sleds, piles of snow, and sled dogs named "Daddy." Throw in a neighbor kid or two, and you have a great opportunity for kids to work off some cabin fever.
Last night, I called ahead to let Mrs. Pol know I would take the kids out to play as soon as I got home. We had only been out a few minutes when a 5-year old neighbor boy came running out his front door, headed for our house. When he saw we were rebuilding our sled hill, he went and got one of his sleds. The only option we have is a full size wooden toboggan, ill suited for small hills in the front yard.
Soon enough, it was like a ride at Disney, with one child sledding while the other two stood in line for their next turn. And like all children, the most important aspect of any turn was the exact distance they managed to travel. Well, that coupled with finding new and dangerous was to sled down the hill.
My daughter surprised me with her willingness to try anything the boys did. If they went down laying on their back, she went down laying on hers. But the imitation ended when she discovered the joy of laying on her belly, head first, and sledding down the hill. It had to be comical for anyone watching me pick her up and set her into the sled. And the whole time I'm saying, "Okay, nobody tell her mom what she's doing."
She giggled and laughed every time she went down the hill. And she wasn't afraid to try getting an extra ride, either. Though she's only two and quite a bit smaller than both boys, she can yell just as loud as either. It's funny to watch her standing there with her fists clenched yelling, "MY TURN! NO, MY TURN!"
Fearless. There's something to be taken from that. It isn't a fearlessness of injury. Neither of my kids are overly fond of pain. But they aren't afraid to take risks. And Monster Girl continually proves that SHE'S the one we'll have to watch closely. The risk of injury just doesn't faze her when there's a possible reward of an adrenaline rush.
Just think, only 16 more years until she can move out of the house.
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