My Sunshine

 I recently read that children laugh around 300 times a day. When I compare that to what I observe among adults, it's a grim difference. Joy and laughter heal us; we know this. But adults' laugh buttons just aren't as sensitive as children's. What do we do?

For me, the answer is to spend time with kids. Their jokes may not be sophisticated, but their enjoyment and their laughter is infectious. I feel so grateful to have these constant laugh factories in my life. May God make me more like them, so that I, too, can enter the joyful kingdom.

Miles kicking off the Week of the Young Child at his preschool

"Grey skies? Who cares!"

Miles' Lego "horse." He was so proud of his design. 

 Speaking of pride:

 For these guys, I'm willing to shake up my routine, and do things that take me out of my way or which get me out early when I might not have done without them. I attend town events and school events and kids' swim classes, which often (though not always) end up being surprise joy bombs in life.

Case in point: we made a stop last week at a local business which was hosting a gallery of art done by the kids at the Valley Interfaith Childcare Center, where Miles & Adele go to daycare. It was a pain to get there; parking downtown at that hour always painful. But once we got in? So much fun! We met the owners of the business (I got to thank them for hosting the kids' art). We got to meet the English Bulldog who lives at the office. We got to see the colorful art. And the kids got to be fussed over a bit for being artists.

 And I got to see another side of my town, and feel even more connected to it, were that possible.

We got more out of the stop than a the pictures, is what I'm saying.

 April is setting in and getting comfortable. The world is in an ecstasy of blossoms and buds, birdsong and sunshine. This sunset was so angelic; I wanted to remember it.

 Before drop-off in the morning, I get one more moment in with my family. Jon and I can make one more joke; Miles can spin one more fantasy, Adele... well, you'll see.

He's in stripes for "Stripes and Dots" day at Preschool. My little dandy *would* pick a striped tie.

 At first, Adele is somber.

 Then we reminded her of her new trick:

Why do kids love to do this??

Doesn't matter why. Everyone is laughing now. Every day should begin this way.