Hyped Up on Lollipops

Maggie is a tiny bit hyped up on sugar today. It was the St. Clare parish festival and we were working the lollipop game. I think she ended up having just a few to many lollipops during the 4 hours we worked. It was all fine with me though because for the first time in about a month I saw her show an excitement that had been clouded. She ran from game to game, playing and laughing. And then she would return for another turn at the lollipops. I have a bag full of cheap junk she won but it was all worth it for the laughter and smile.

When Maggie told me she wanted to go work with me at the festival I was a bit hesitant. Four hours of running a game and a four year old's patience level did not seem to go together in my mind. Even with that, I agreed and off we went. I explained the situation and warned her that to much whining or fussing and I would call Daddy to pick her up. That means no rides, no yummies and no fun after our shift ended.

I have no idea why I was so worried. She helped me run the game, ran to each booth and played all the games around us. When the afternoon sun got hot and she was a bit tired she crawled up on my lap for a quick break. Through it all she was patient and happy. It was if the sun and activity had lighted that spark that had been dampened by feeling sick. I could have cared less how many lollipops she ate, that all she at for dinner was potato chips, fries and lemonade or about the ice cream which was her appetizer. She was happy and this is a once in a while event.

So at the end of the day, she crawled into bed and told me what an happy day she had. The consequence of the sugar has her bouncing off her walls and singing herself to sleep. The happiness lingering in the note of each song she sings. As her Mom I tell her to close her eyes and go to sleep. But in my heart I am so happy to hear her joy and to have seen her revel in the fun. It was much needed for both of us!