top 10 things I miss about being a kid

accountability?

OK, so I’ve been a little less frequent with posts. Preferring to consistently post twice per week, I have fallen short. Yes, I do hold myself accountable, and no I am not going to write extra posts to make up for the deficiency.

kid pics of me and Laura

Responsibilities pile up and before I know it’s time for bed. I hate letting people (even myself) down. Whether it concerns, work, play or something between, I like feeling productive. Can I recall a time before the world sat heavily on my shoulders?

enter harp playing memory-inducing music as I ponder

This week’s writing prompt from Mama Kat is to list 10 things I miss about being a kid. Hmmm…here it goes.

top 10 things I miss the most

sucking my thumb. Bet ya didn’t know I was a serial thumbsucker until 8 years old. I remember the comfort and calm feeling emanating from the tip of my thumb. It’s a seriously long story as to why I ceased and will have to wait till later.
Barbie playtime. While other kids dragged around a blanket or teddy bear, I had this weird Barbie doll with red hair I carried everywhere. Having no idea when I gave up the obsession (if ever), I was glad when my daughter Avery picked up the habit of playing Barbies.
playing outside. Growing up on top of a hill made it difficult but not impossible to find playmates for Barbies or other games. TV only had 3 channels (Geez I feel old) and it was way more fun to invent games outside.
someone else cooking. We ate dinner together at 6pm most nights and I never had to be the one cooking. In an attempt to attain personal growth, I decided to cook dinner at least 4 nights per week. It had been 3 weeks so far. Let’s see how it continues…
scaring Laura. For some unknown reason, Laura was afraid of mountains. Whenever we drove from Santa Barbara to Solvang, we had to climb. This made the perfect opportunity to frighten my sister by commenting that we were now in the mountains. Hehehe.
jacks. I’m not the most coordinated person on earth but I was pretty good playing jacks. Splayed out on the playground bouncing that silly little ball and scooping up the little silver trinkets. Yes, definitely miss that one.
working in my parents store. It might not be considered a real job, but I helped out at our general store located in Solvang (hence the drive up into the mountains on a regular basis). Payment was a doll. This actually helped build a strong work ethic that continues to this day.
Maria. My parents found her before I was born, and they thought she was beaten. As a result, she hated everyone except the immediate family. Maria barked like mad from under the bed whenever anyone came over. No one could get her out if she wasn’t ready.
wearing frilly dresses. One memory in particular was shopping with my grandmother for a fancy dress. I don’t remember the occasion, but I remember feeling like a princess in a patterned party dress with white patent leather shoes. i thought I was hot stuff.
imagining what life would be like as an adult. As a kid, the possibilities seemed endless. What would I look like? Who would I marry? Would I have kids of my own? I don’t remember what I wanted to be when I grew up and hope I lived up to my childhood expectations.

tag! you’re it!!

Certainly there are things I miss about being a kid. There are aspects of childhood I am glad passed. I was terribly shy as a child and suffered from a fairly low self-esteem.

Skinny and awkward, people told me I would come into my own as a young adult. They were right. The reality is I’m happy in my adult body and grown up life.