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Took the girls to a Winter Festival tonight. With temps in the low 60s, it wasn’t feeling exactly wintery, but nonetheless we strolled around seeing what was to be seen. It was busy – crowded even – and offered some activities in the way of bouncy houses, cook your own s’mores, etc. It seems nearly all the activities were free, and so as you might expect there were lengthy lines (and waits) for pretty much everything. The girls were pretty easily dissuaded as we passed by the bouncy house and other things – they also didn’t want to wait in line. We made a circuit through the grounds and before deciding our next action, Mallory decided she wanted to go check out ‘one more thing.’ It’s an inflatable bouncy course, with obstacles, crawling, climbing up stairs/ladder and then a steep and tall slide down. Immediately the girls decide they want to do it. They’ll wait in line for this one. So, we get in line. Already I’m thinking, what if they get scared, what if they want to back out, what if… It’s pretty much a closed course so once you go in, you have to finish. As we wait, we talk all these things through with the girls, making sure they understand what they’re getting in to. I’m still a little anxious for them. Especially Mallory, who can have some moments of timidness. I can just imagine her getting to the top of the stairs/slide and deciding it wasn’t for her. But I know my job as a parent is to not allow my anxiety to transfer to them. So we go forth. We see the sign that says you must be 36 inches to ‘ride.’ We figure we’ll just generously round up for Hannah. We get closer, start taking off shoes. And then, they’re in. Adrienne circles around the outside just in case help is needed, while I get ready at the bottom of the slide to take a photo. It’s dark and so I spend some time figuring out how to get the best capture. I’m still mucking with the iPhone when Mallory pops up at the top and without hesitation slides down. Hannah is soon behind her. Here I’m figuring I’ve got time, since they’ve gotta get around the obstacles, etc. But they were so quick I didn’t even get the shot! Of course they had a blast, and we’re back in line to do it again.

(That white blob is Santa. Nearly took out some bystanders with the candy he was throwing.)

And so staring at me under the streetlights at a 60-degree winter festival, was a reminder to let go, to let joy happen.

These kids are the best teachers.