All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up. ~ Pablo Picasso
Today I watched my girls play on the sidewalk with chalk – they had such a good time. As I watched them, I yearned for those days – the carefree days of childhood when life and learning were about exploration and having fun. I yearned for those days when my largest disappointment was a lower grade or being asked to go to bed earlier then I had anticipated. Those were the carefree days of my youth.
My girls have a similar childhood – they are wanting for nothing, do well in school, and are given small amounts of freedom, as appropriate – such as going downstairs and playing with chalk outside our home. What a pleasure it was to watch them enjoying themselves!
Today, 136 days ’til 40, I am reminded of those small moments in childhood that were so fun and important to myself – and I will work to make sure to build more of those moments into the lives of my children.
~400daystil40
Fortuitous Forty!!! 
appletonavenue
October 8, 2012 at 00:13
I wish your daughters many years of happy moments playing with chalk.
400daystil40
October 8, 2012 at 20:02
Thank you!
SkiDaddy
October 8, 2012 at 00:38
I’m always impressed, and amazed, at your ability to post every day. And you put out interesting content. Keep up the good work.
Cheers,
Dwayne
400daystil40
October 8, 2012 at 20:02
Thank you, Dwayne! Some does it is easier to post than others! 🙂
Sid Dunnebacke
October 8, 2012 at 00:38
I’m slowly learning that’s among the most important parts of parenting. I wish I’d figured it out when my girls were still only toddlers, but better late than never, right? Enjoy the time with your little (?) ladies!
400daystil40
October 8, 2012 at 20:03
Yes, it is a hard lesson to learn – and, sadly, I think most of us really do not grasp this concept until we are grandparents.
jensine
October 8, 2012 at 00:44
I sometimes wish we didn’t have to grow up and could play all day long, but then I remember that we can only be truly free if we take responsibility for actions. As a child we had parents to do that for us as adults we only have us, BUT we get to make up our own rules too and can go to bed when we want
400daystil40
October 8, 2012 at 20:04
Yes, that is the catch 22 of growing up, isn’t it?????
jensine
October 8, 2012 at 20:06
yes and 22 is about the first time you feel like a grown-up
400daystil40
October 8, 2012 at 20:11
hehehe…… I am not so sure about that…. I still do not feel like a grown up….
jensine
October 8, 2012 at 20:13
no me neither but I do have fleeting moments
Julie
October 8, 2012 at 10:41
And build more for your self while you are at it too. Being grown up doesn’t mean you are done growing. 😉
400daystil40
October 8, 2012 at 20:04
Definitely true! I have a lot of growing up to do!
Julie
October 8, 2012 at 22:43
Me too!
kenthinksaloud
October 8, 2012 at 11:17
The quote from Picasso (one of my favourite artists) is wonderfully true – as was your point about childhood today 🙂
400daystil40
October 8, 2012 at 20:04
Yes I love that quote!
The Quiet Borderline (back in hospital)
October 8, 2012 at 11:55
I’d love to go back to my childhood and relive it all again! I know we shouldn’t have regrets and dwell on the past but, well, I do! I would do things differently for myself.
400daystil40
October 8, 2012 at 20:05
For the most part, I would not want to go back… but if I could go back with the knowledge I have from today, I would have done so much of it differently – and probably would have been happier… I also would not have been such a good girl! 😛
saymber
October 8, 2012 at 16:21
The first thought that came to mind reading this 400 — “just do it!” It’s never to late to connect with the child within us. I like to be the one who visits people and their children think I’ve come to visit them lool. I don’t ever want to lose the little girl who lives actively inside of me! She keeps me from taking life too seriously, which I have a tendency to do!
400daystil40
October 8, 2012 at 20:06
Yes, that is so much fun! And people love it when their kids love you! 🙂 I also have a tendency to take myself and life too seriously – I hope this changes over time!
Another Thousand Words
October 8, 2012 at 17:53
Great post, 400…helped me re-live a bit of younger days! Love the image, and I feel like taking my chalk with me next photo outing…a bit of ‘sidewalk art’ can never hurt an old one like me, can it?
400daystil40
October 8, 2012 at 20:06
Yes, that would be so cool!
The World Is My Cuttlefish
October 8, 2012 at 23:13
Keeping the pleasures of our childhood alive in some way in our adult lives is soulful work.
400daystil40
October 9, 2012 at 18:33
So very true!!!
evilnymphstuff
October 10, 2012 at 19:27
Oh I love this Picasso quote! Indeed childhood is filled with so much creativity!
400daystil40
October 10, 2012 at 23:17
Yes!