She's THAT kid

Hannah is an active little girl.

I know mom’s say that, but to put it into perspective -

she shocks every Gymboree teacher with her exuberance. 

(And I figure that Gymboree teachers, with their classrooms of padded 

floors and obstacles, have probably seen it all.  So that says a lot.)

She’s fearless.

She’ll jump off towers onto a stack of mats without a hint of worry.

She’ll scale a ladder and run across balance beams. 

She’ll dance wildly to the music instead of clapping to the beat.

She’s THAT kid in the class.

Part of me wants to wrangle in her energy, 

teach her to step daintily along the platform like the other girls in the class 

and methodically weigh the dangers before she jumps.

Then I tell that side of me to shut up 

and ignore the other parent’s glances.

I figure that life will happen to Hannah. 

In time, she’ll learn about boo-boos and she’ll learn to be cautious.

But right now I want her to continue embracing life head on.

To not be afraid of what might happen,

but instead to seek joy in what is happening.

Sure, we teach her manners -

“Please” “Thank You” and “Excuse Me”

are a big deal in our household.

And she’s starting to grasp the concept of sharing and

taking turns as much as a 19 month old toddler can.

But for now I’m happy that she’s THAT kid –

The boisterous one, the laughing one,

the running and jumping and leaping one.

That’s Hannah.

She’s a little crazy, a little sweet, and a whole lotta spunky.

And I wouldn’t want her any other way.