Babies and Lost...

Last night I babysat for my friend Meggan's daughter, Kate. She is adorable, and you can see pictures of her below all this wonderful text I am writing. I love little kids. They are really amazing. And I mean kids under the age of 5--not that I don't love kids over the age of five. I know at least one really fantastic kid over the age of five who is learning Mandarin Chinese and reading the book Matilda (by Roald Dahl) that I gave her for Christmas. However, there is something about kids that are Kate's age that is just wonderful. They laugh with the most marvelous look of awe, surprise, wonder, and amusement. (You might be thinking--well Deedee, awe and wonder are synonyms but go ahead and lengthen your post by repeating yourself. And I would say--thanks, I think I will.)

So I was taking care of Kate last night briefly while Meggan was taking a class. I literally could amuse Kate by spinning her around, holding her upside down, swinging her in the air, pretending to hide behind the counter, or simply looking out the window to see if mommy might be coming home. I loved it. I was laughing, and Kate was laughing. What more could I have wanted as a babysitter who was buying time before the crankiness set in or mom magically came home? I have always thought that kids have that unique quality of being able to bring out the most simple, but delightful pleasures in life--ones that we often forget because of the routine or weight of life.

After an hour or so with Kate, I got to spend some quality time with my dear friend Meggan. We also watched the season premiere of Lost, to which she is apparently addicted. (It reminded me a little of our freshman year in college sitting on the floor eating PB&J sandwiches with Mac and Cheese watching Dawson's Creek. Oh, did I just admit to that? Hmm...)

Anyway, as many of you may know, I don't have cable and feel quite all right about that fact. But let me just tell you, three hours in front of the TV watching an addicting TV show, and I'm a sucker who wishes I did have cable. Then, I could come home to mindlessly watch TV after a stressful day at work instead of trying to make myself read a good book. Apparently though, you can watch TV shows on the internet (not that that sounds all that appealing to me). So, no worries. I won't be ordering cable. :) Nevertheless, three hours of watching a TV show that I have never seen before might be the beginning of an addition to my Netflix list. I might as well get caught up before the next season comes out on DVD. :)

(Kate, thanks for making me laugh; Meggan, thanks for some quality girl time!)