6,7, and 8 year old girls

I had the privilege today of driving 10 miles with 4 girls: two six year olds, a seven year old and an 8 year old girl. Twenty minutes of very (very) loud hysterical conversation. They discussed A. sitting still (she was in the middle in the back seat flinging herself between her friends and driving them both crazy), how to share popcorn, who liked yogo bits (or whatever these little yogurt covered things are called), who had kissed a boy, and/or had a boyfriend. I was told that one girl had a boyfriend, but she wasn't his girlfriend. I dutifully reminded them that they were all too young to have boyfriends or kiss boys. This resulted in several renditions of the "sitting in a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G" song. They listened to me shhhh them, cajole and threaten A. in the back seat (she was way wound up).

On the way back we were minus one six year old (no I didn't lose her, her dad picked her up), and there was much discussion of naming little plastic puppies (and discussion about whether it's ok for everyone to have a puppy named Goldie), and negotiating for trades of little bits of stuff (stuff you get out of vending machines for 50 cents like little plastic puppies, and balls, and fuzzy key chains). It was very sweet when G. gave her friend a puppy (she had 9, her friend had 1) for FREE , after all apparent negotiations involving keychains and broken necklaces had broken down. All heck broke loose when a puppy fell on the floor of the car.

I love these times when I realize I've heard some of what really goes on between kids when we're not around. Even just a little bit is amazing. Now in between these rides I had organized a casual roller skating outing. My girls are not yet big skaters (sad but true), but the drives were more illuminating than whether or not they can skate or want to skate. As a parent you learn that what you want may have nothing to do with what your children want, and they are simply who they are. I have to stop and remember that it's much more important that G. worked out the puppy issue with her friend, than that she doesn't like to skate on command. I will keep skating, for sure, and hopefully someday they'll be happy to join me, and I'll be able to drive my girls and their teenage friends to the roller rink and eavesdrop on their conversation along the way!