When I became a mom, one of the most surprising feelings I wasn’t prepared for was…

Feeling super excited about the things my kids are excited about. Truly. Growing up, I rarely babysat because the idea of stacking blocks or playing peek-a-boo sounded like a snoozefest. But the first moment I noticed my daughter Ella’s eyes light up, back when she was three weeks old and discovered the ceiling fan in my parents’ dining room, I was hooked.

Now, four years later, I still feel a shiver down my spine when I see my son or daughter fall in a love with a new hobby. Here a few things they find magical these days…

Bubbles
Singing “Do Re Mi” from The Sound of Music
Climbing terrifyingly high play structures
Picking flowers
High fives
Mommy playing criss-cross applesauce on their backs
Flashlights
Playing with Daddy’s Allen wrench
Taking pictures with anyone’s phone
Singing “Head Shoulders Knees and Toes” REALLY FAST
Counting the snails in the backyard after it rains
Making “potions”
Playing waiter
Chocolate chips

Emiliano’s new favorite thing — saying “cheeeeese”

Re-evaluating the world through your child’s eyes and finding a new sense of wonder in the little things, like jumping off a swing or wearing a pearl necklace to dinner, is intoxicating. It feels like you get a new chance at experiencing life, don’t you think? And I have a feeling that it will get even better as they grow older.

What about you? What funny things are the kids in your life loving, saying or doing these days?

P.S. A parenting hack for older kids and a baby’s 10 favorite things.