Speaking of sunshine, today is glorious. Around one o'clock, I jumped in the car, grabbed some Schlotzskys & cherry Sprite, and headed to a nearby park. As I sat at a picnic table, munching on salt and vinegar chips and reading Real Sex (regarding chastity and Biblical direction for sexuality), I found myself distracted by the myriad of children frolicking on the playground. Bemused by the irony of having just read the section entitled "Sex is for procreation," I laid down my book and watched the kids.

At first it was charming to see the little ones pump their legs earnestly to swing higher than the others. Moms chatted with each other as they watched their spawn from behind large, sepia-colored sunglasses. There were lots of dogs (yuck) running to and fro. Occasionally a tshirted girl would jog by, keeping in time with the silent beat of her headphones. I smirked as two spandexed teens sauntered by, dragging a chihuahua behind them. It was altogether romantic... until I heard a bloodcurdling scream come from the slide. The ensuing scene went something like this:

Mom: "Grant, you cannot throw things at your sister. That is mean."

Grant (3 or 4 year old): "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH"

Mom: "Apologize to your sister right now."

Grant: "NOOOOOOOOOOO"

Mom: "If you don't apologize, you have to sit on that bench until your change your mind."

Grant: "NOOOOOOOOOO"

Mom: "Ok, have it your way." (and hauled him over to the bench)

Grant: "NOOOOOOOOOO"

Mom: "Stop screaming right now. You are acting like a baby."

Grant: (sniffle, gulp, gasp, snort)

Mom: "You will sit here until you calm down and apologize."

(silence for 30 seconds or so)

Grant: "Mom?"

Mom: "Yes?"

Grant: "What do I have to do to keep playing?"

Mom: " Tell me why you are sitting here first."

(I couldn't hear his response)

Mom: "Yes. Was that kind?"

Grant: "No."

Mom: "Will you apologize now?"

Grant: "Yes."

(peace, love, and happiness)

This all repeated 5 or so minutes later when poor little Grant sinned again. To my surprise, "Mom" responded in the same, patient way, yet with a little more firmness and threats to leave the park.

Every since then I've been thinking about parenthood and procreation. It was almost like those high school classes that assign a robotic baby to teens for a week in order to scare them away from premarital sex. If anything, it was a good reminder that sex does result in babies.

Speaking of babies, I think I want to have a lot of them. Children, that is. At least 5. The other day at lunch, I sat and listened politely as a fellow music major detailed her desire for one perfect, porcelain, angel baby girl. When she finished, I blurted out that I want 7 kids.

Confession: I mainly did this to watch her eyebrows raise and sputter for words. That was probably immature. I'm not actually sure that I want 7, but if that happens, YAY! The more the merrier. Being a camp counselor in 2008 was the best job I've ever had. Corralling 16 kids is exhausting, but so rewarding.

It doesn't take much to remind me how much I hate being alone. Every one of my friends is gone this weekend. I'm not exactly lonely... just bored. Even sitting on a couch is better when you're next to someone else.

Anyway, a lot of kids is exciting to look forward to.

If I can ever graduate.

Oh, and be found by the love of my life.

Speaking of immaturity, I wonder sometimes if I'm "mature." When does one become really "mature?" What does "maturity" even mean? I tend to equate "immaturity" with "silliness" and "a lack of having fun." If that is the case, I don't really want to be mature.

Speaking of fun, I had my first "Friday night at the bar" last night with some other music majors. It was nice to be with people, but not so nice to sit for hours and watch them become more and more intoxicated as I sipped my water. My idea of friday night fun looks a lot more like exploring, roller skating, scavenger hunting, game playing, baking, movie watching, and discussing ridiculously "deep" issues that end up making someone needlessly angry. Does this make me immature?

Panera re-scheduled me to close tonight, so at least I won't have to sit at home and watch a movie by myself. Come say hi!