The tenderness of childhood

The ways in which children are wonderful, sweet, innocent and tender are simply innumerable. This really comes through with the play between them developing gradually, arising out of the chaos of early toddlerhood exploration.
Ava has a little friend, Adam. They very often have playdates during which I discover that girls are girls and boys are boys, even at this early and somewhat unisex age. Ava is more of a big cat girl. Much like a lion cub, she'll challenge to a chase game, but be quick to snap and perhaps react too strongly to an innocent jab at her. Adam is a lot softer and more understanding, perhaps because he is a little older.
I am so very thankful for these playdates, a time when I cannot relax but can at least sit back and watch and well, have a few minutes to rest here and there, while the pair of toddling explorers climb, drag toys around or throw balls. Sometimes there are cries and a few tears but there always is fun, too.