Another "Kids Say the Darndest Things"

My daughter was talking to her Grandma the other morning and said, "Grandma, did you know that when we went to see Aunt Karen, we got to stay in an EIGHT STAR hotel?"

Grandma, "Really?" Looking at me with a question in her eyes.

"Yes, it was very fancy and it was called the SUPER EIGHT!"
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I love how easily impressed they are and how much they cherish every new experience.

For years, my youngest princess has been asking for gymnastics lessons. She spends half her life upside down or flipping on my poor couch. She has photos of Shawn Johnson and checks her blog everyday. She really, really loves gymnastics. : )

But she had to wait until we were sure it was something she was truly interested in, and that we were able to budget it in. Two weeks ago, we were finally able to make that dream come true for her. I sat there watching her during her lesson, so full of gratitude that we could give her that experience. She loves it! Her only great disappointment? She thought lessons would be every day and they are only once a week. She'd move in if we let her.

Last night while I was waiting for her to finish up, I heard a mom on her cell phone telling a friend how much her daughter hates gymnastics and always says, "My mom makes me do it." Then the little girl came over , and I was shocked at her attitude. She made a huge scene, and when her mom told her to stop talking to her that way, the little girl said, "Why? It's a free state, I should be able to say whatever I want!" This girl was six, maybe seven at the oldest. They bickered back and forth and finally left the gym.

I'm not one to judge parents or kids. I know my own have made scenes in public, but the whole thing made me look out at my little girl about ready to burst with the joy of being able to finally do something she has wanted to do for so long, and it made me love her all the more.

I think parents sometimes forget to say no to their kids, or give them whatever whim enters their mind. The kids don't get the joy of seeing things like gymnastics lessons as a gift, not a right or something mom makes them do.

OK, I'll step off my soap box. I'm just so thankful my girls think staying in the Super Eight is a grand experience, and are so grateful for opportunities like basketball and gymnastics. I want to have that same heart toward the things God has given me, big and small. : )

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