Wednesday, February 05, 2014

kids on the dock

 

You may have noticed extra little people showing up here and there in our posts over the past 6 months or so. We have had kid boats come and go through this marina. Some were lovely. Some, frankly, were nightmares. And we have our neighborhood landlubber kids who we always love to hang out with. But this last year we lucked in to the most fabulous neighbor kids, and I keep pinching myself and holding my breath and secretly hoping they never sail away until we are ready to sail with them.


Two lovely sisters, one a year older than Zach and one a year younger than Zach. The kids play so sweetly together, and being girls of course they are a wonderful influence on Zach in many ways as well. You would not believe how quickly he does his school work now, so that he has the chance to play with them or have lunch together. Sometimes they even do school work together.


And together they come up with such good old fashioned fun and spend all of their time outside just going and going and going.





I love how the girls are also rather "young" like Zach. It seems more and more 10 and 11 year olds act like teenagers. I really feel there is NO rush in growing up. In fact, take the slow road whenever possible. The key is finding that balance between staying innocent and yet learning independence in a positive way. My guess is that one of the reasons these girls are so lovely is because mom and dad are not Americans. Sorry fellow Americans, but we tend to overdo everything, regardless of which way we lean. Guilty as charged. It's a great centering exercise observing the balance their lovely mom and dad strike in a way I just don't see with my American friends.

The mom complimented something hand knit Naia was wearing, and I confessed it came from a friend and started to bemoan really wanting to learn to knit but not having the time. I still can only manage lumpy rows of nothingness. She looked at me so matter of fact and said, "I don't worry about that. I mean we can't do everything can we?"  Think about that.


But back to the kids... the thing that really strikes me is how they interact with Naia. The three big kids could form a tight triumvirate and simply brush the little Miss aside. But they so lovingly find ways to bring her into the fold of their play. Every. Single. Time. She is often scooped up onto a back and brought along for whatever adventure they are off on around the marina. They give hugs, explain things, help her out, and even come play with her when Zach isn't home. I think that speaks volumes.





The boat life is so transient, and we know good friends will drift in and out and back again. We're so grateful to have found a nice peer group for Zach in this community, and now even here at the marina just one dock over. Pretty sweet!



Comments (19)

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Oh I hope they stay too - they're so gorgeous! And what you've described with Naia - what lovely kids. Your photos are beautiful Cindy - such pretty light and colour. Isn't it marvellous when kids interact like this - you feel as if you've really made it as a mama :-)
1 reply · active 579 weeks ago
Thank you Lily! Yes it IS marvelous. Everyday I just say, wow... we are so lucky!
How wonderful for both families to have sweet kids to play with. They look like they really enjoy each other's company. <3
1 reply · active 579 weeks ago
Your tribe would get along great with them too. Hope you have a chance to meet them!
Big Moe Colontonio 's avatar

Big Moe Colontonio · 579 weeks ago

This is a great post! We love all our children. There is nothing better than watching our children have fun.
Big Moe
1 reply · active 579 weeks ago
Absolutely Moe! And I can always tell how much you adore your kids, it truly shows in every way!
This makes me so happy, Cindy! Just yesterday I was lamenting how there are no kids on our block. How playing in the snow would be so much more fun with a neighborhood. But quality beats quantity any day! And you've got quality!

Ro
1 reply · active 579 weeks ago
You never know who might move into the hood...
Love both families:)
1 reply · active 579 weeks ago
Lovely kids (and parents, for that matter) in the same marina are seriously worth delaying voyages for. It was very hard finding any kids to match the ages of four kids from 6 to 16, and it didn't get any easier as they grew up. When you set out on a cruise, you can be so focused on going that you forget you can also stay. The kids in La Cruz, Mexico, actually held a mock trial to convince one set of parents to delay their voyage (and they won!!)
1 reply · active 579 weeks ago
Great story! And I love what you said... "so focused on going you forget to stay" ~~ wonderful lesson there!
Thats's awesome ...it's so hard to find "good" friends
1 reply · active 579 weeks ago
So happy for my boy, he deserves it!
That really makes me think that there is order in the universe, that not only did you find kids, you found GREAT kids, and in the perfect age group in your little marina. Your family sure is lucky!
1 reply · active 579 weeks ago
I am thankful to the universe everyday I see them all laughing together!
pure magic...........
1 reply · active 578 weeks ago
Wow - you guys are so lucky to have found those friends. I know they will be lifelong friends for you guys, even if/when they move on. I recently found out how special that can be. The friends our family had gotten really close with found some other friends to hang out with, and basically replaced us with them. We don't know what went wrong, as we all got along wonderfully, and were very comfortable with each other. It is just so sad and reminds me how fragile some friendships are. I love checking your blog and seeing your fun adventures!

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