Wearing Boots in the Summer - and Other Good Ideas

I went to the park today with Josh and Nate. Josh wanted to wear his boots, because, he said, "All my shoes are dirty."

I pushed them in the swings, and it reminded me when I used to push Johnny and Gary and I could never push them high enough or long enough.

Nate wanted to climb on the playground equipment and go down the slide by himself. I was sure he was going to fall, but when I tried to help him, he scolded me.

Kids know what they want, and sometimes, parents don't get why they insist upon things like wearing boots in the summer and going down the slide by themselves.

But grandparents know. Because they've seen it. They've seen how ordinary, quirky kids can grow up to be extraordinary adults.

If they're allowed to be themselves.