D made me feel all Zesty inside once again today.
A little back story. I've been nannying for this family for about... 3 and a half weeks now. It started off a little rough. Just the as to be expected "testing the new nanny" antics. Pushing limits, trying out lies to see which ones I might fall for (none of them by the way; D makes the same lying face as A, the almost 6-year-old I used to nanny), pulling the old "my mom lets us do it!" But, this wasn't my first time dealing with children and it certainly won't be my last. Now, a few weeks later, we've gotten things figured out. The two siblings don't play excellently together, so we've developed a pattern of each of them getting to pick an activity for about a half hour. If the other wants to play, they can, otherwise they need to find a solo activity to do. It's been working out well; 95% of the time they're good about picking something they both like so we all play together. They know what I'll let them get away with (the occasional brother pulling sister's hair is to be expected) and what they can't (calling each other stupid idiots who they hate has 3 too many words that I do not like). We've found a good balance. Which makes me actually a little sad now that in a few weeks, I won't be working with them anymore as their grandparents are moving into the house, creating full-time, live-in nannies that don't need to be paid.
Anyways. So one of my favorite parts of each day is the 15-20 minutes D and I have in the car just the two of us on the way to pick up his sister from school. He is so insightful, while also always so curious, asking questions about everything. From what the numbers on the dashboard means to what did I do that morning to how often bad guys rob banks like in the superhero movies to what is 30+40 to why there are chips on my front seat to are you sure we need to pick E up right away? We often end up having great conversations, that just constantly remind me of the innocence and curiosity of the world and how important it is to never stop asking "Why?"
I've noticed how much I enjoy this time other days, but something about today just stood out to me so much. We were counting how many times we each said yes, while trying to trick each other into saying it. We made guesses about how long it would take us to get to his sister's school, knowing that traffic and stop lights are sometimes impossible. I tried to explain what a jinx was, after I commented that we were getting every green light and then once I said that, not getting another one for the rest of the drive. (Was not able to explain what a jinx was.) We laughed at how silly the phrase "I do do that" is, after D said it about how he does run quickly. He wasn't sure if he was saying it correctly, since "do do" sounded so funny. This of course let into a mini-talk about how if he only said "I do do" it would actually make it sound like he said "I poop." We just had such a great conversation. Classic 6-year-old/adult talk.
And then we picked up E. Now, don't get me wrong. E is adorable and fun to play with as well, and also asks insightful questions. But, she also cries easily; whines when things seem "unfair," even when they are not, says "no thank you" to everything she doesn't like to happen (which is polite, but not necessary when she doesn't like that I had to stop at a red light); and demands things rather than ask for them politely. The car rides away from her school are always so different than the car rides to her school. Luckily, by the time we get to their house, or to the park, or wherever we are going that day, she has brightened up and become delightful again. Today was just a hard one.
So, in conclusion, today I was reminded of the Zest that children have in them. That energetic, wise beyond their years, natural curiosity that we so easily lose as adults. Thanks, D.