I have had some really great conversations with my friends lately about the "good old days". There are some really simple aspects of childhood and adolescence that I truly miss with everything in me. Some of these behaviors are frowned up on an adult, which I probably don't agree with, but none the less (usually) follow. There are some things everyone inevitably grows out of. And eventually, you become the giver of some of these special treatments. But that doesn't mean adults don't miss all of these simple times.
1. Building forts in the woods
2. Building forts in the living room
(until your mom made you put the couch cushions back)
3. Riding bicycles everywhere
4. Playing the Lava game
(You know, where you jump around on the couch cushions without touching the floor when your parents aren't looking)
5. Playing jailbreak every night in the summer
You were always outside, you were always with your friends, and you were actually in decent shape.
6. Playing on your Nintendo DS
Mario Cart battles were the best. And there was no cyber bullying on picto-chat. You had to be within 60 feet of each other. You drew pictures and treated each other nicely, you know, the way things should be.
7. Making mud pies
8. The magic of Christmas morning
9. Going to your grandma's house after school every day
10. Sleeping at your friend's houses all the time
11. Getting out of school early
12. Playing dress up
13. Having your mom make all of your doctor's appointments for you
Oh wait, she still has to do that
14. Not caring about what you ate
It was your goal to eat chocolate chip waffles every morning for breakfast. Carbs and sweets were your friends.
15. Getting to go outside during school to play on the playground
I can't even believe that was a thing I got to do. How awesome is that.
16. Spending every single summer night sitting around a fire with your friends
No one had to be up early for those silly job things
17. High school dances
18. Nap time
Raise your hand if you took that for granted... *raises both hands*
19. Eating lunch with your friends every single day
20. When your mom brought cupcakes to school cause it was your birthday and everyone loved you forever
21. When it was the other 20 kids in your class's birthday and their moms brought cupcakes to school and you were a happy little second grader
22. Being the star of the week in kindergarten.
Can I be the star of the week in college? I think it's a good idea.
23. Not having a cell phone
24. Doing things simply because they were fun and you wanted to, no matter how wierd they were
25. Pouring glue on your hands then peeling it off
26. Play time at school
27. Having time to watch TV before school
You didn't need to waste time picking out an outfit because your mom did it for you and you didn't need to waste time putting on makeup because no one cared, especially you. My personal morning show favorites were Arthur and Clifford the Big Red Dog.
28. The awesome holiday parties you had in elementary school
Getting valentines from all your little friends, parading around the school in your kick-butt Halloween costume, we had it all.
29. Being read stories
30. Getting a little prize when you were good at the dentist
31. Getting post cards in the mail over the summer from your new elementary school teacher
Because elementary school teachers are just that sweet!
32. Getting babysat by your really cool older cousins who made sure you always had the best night ever and learned how to be as cool as them
33. Those sweet little notes your mom wrote and sneaked in your lunchbox and backpack
34. Snow days
35. Waking up to your grandma being there cooking breakfast in the morning
36. Getting to go to Chuck E Cheese
37. Only having fun all summer
38. Having mini sleepovers with your siblings in their rooms
39. Getting to crack the eggs in the bowl when you were helping your mom make cookies and feeling like the coolest person to ever live
40. Blowing bubbles in your milk
41. Driving around with your friends just because you had cars and licenses and could
42. When your coach bought you an ice cream sandwich after you won your softball/baseball game
43. Going on field trips
44. Going swimming all the time, and not caring if the water was freezing and turned your lips blue, because you were young and swimming was much more important
45. When your friends had birthday parties at really awesome places
Ah, memories. As sad as it may be to realize that life is not this simple anymore, we at least got our turn with it and can now pass it on to kids to come after us. And hey, if you still want to blow bubbles in your milk, play on the playground, and take cookies to work on your birthday, more power to you. Keep that simple kid inside alive.
