I love children

I have seven blocks on my wrapping table that spell out the word welcome.  I can always tell when a small child has walked by the table.  My welcome signs has turned into a block tower.  I guess it is impossible for a child to see blocks and not build something.

I have necklaces on the wrapping table  for children.  It is hard for me to find little goodies for boys unless the are very young.  So, I was excited that this batch had some football necklaces in them.  My plans do not always work like I think.   Kids know what they like.  One little boys ran up to the goody box and grabbed a gold beaded necklace and yelled "neat,  gold disco balls".  One cute 9 year girl grabbed the football necklace and said she wanted to wear it for her brother's football games.  Oh well, I try, as long as the kids are happy, I'm happy.

A brother, sister duo came by and Mom was really shopping hard for a long time. The little boy picked up a stick sat on a box and made a drum set out of two empty  boxes and one bucket.  His sister asked if she got a stick, could she play and he responded, "no,  this is too hard for you."

A proud granddaddy  came by with a very small child that looked older that his size indicated.  I asked how old he was and was told he was 10 months old and was born at one lb and 3 oz.  He  was not suppose to live, but God had other plans.  When he reached for me,  I asked if I could hold him.  I had to stop myself  from kissing his face over and over.  He was very strong  and I struggled as he grabbed my hat and glasses. All babies are a miracle from God, but sometimes we need a reminder of how precious life is.

I did have one little brat come by, whose mama did not seem to notice that he was dangerous close to breaking several of my good glass pieces by knocking over a table.  I grabbed a box of fishing bobbles and dumped them out and told  him to come pick his favorite one.  Of course , he grabbed three,  but it was worth it to save my glass.  His grandma bought him a small silver spoon that he preceded to use to "gently"  tap every piece of glass as he walked my tables.  I can not remember if they bought anything, but I was glad to see them go.  My Mother-in-law told me when I was dating Mark that she loved kids, but hated brats.  That is one reason that I  tried so hard to raise well-mannered kids.  God makes mischievous  kids who loved to explore and discover, but it takes a parent to make a brat.