Celebrate Your Extraordinary Kid

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Finding time to escape the hectic pace of everyday life can be a daunting challenge, but every once in a while those magical moments pop up that help remind us how important our children are. We had one such moment on a hastily organized trip to the beach. I can still smell the salty scent of the ocean breeze as it mingled with the tropical fragrance of the sunscreen that we smeared over our fair skinned children. Stopping at the local candy shop on our way to the beach, we began the essential operation of properly provisioning each child with a supply of salt water taffy. Our kids love salt water taffy and the tasty treat seems to reveal the unique character of each child.

Each sibling approached the candy selection process in their own way. Some focused on variety, making sure to select as many different flavors as possible to ensure that their negotiating position in the inevitable “candy bartering” that would later occur would be founded on a vast selection of flavors. Others concentrated on quantity. With the scientific precision of a watch maker, they accurately positioned each taffy to ensure every inch of space was maximized (for one fixed price you could have as many pieces as would fit in your taffy cup). And then there was the culinary enthusiast, the child who always focused on the proper pairing of flavors. “Golden Pear” with “Tangerine”, a fruity delight to awaken the palate. But “Chocolate Mint” with “Pina Colada” was unacceptable. Aghast, our son claimed that certain flavors should not even be sniffed together!

Having completed the candy quest, we headed to the beach where competitive sandcastle battles were filled with friendly taunts. We did not focus on building elaborate structures with intricate parapets or flying buttresses, rather, our competition involved protecting a simple bucket-shaped pile of sand with a feather planted at the top. Each team would quickly erect their sand castle just beyond the reach of the incoming tide and then immediately go to work on digging a series of trenches and making walls that would protect their own chateau while diverting the surging waves towards the opposing team’s sandcastle. In the end, the ocean won as the crashing surf eventually consumed both structures, but bragging rights went to the team that held out the longest before the waves eroded their pile of sand causing the feather to fall.

Finally, after a day filled with jumping waves, flying kites, and burying each other in the sand, we embarked on the construction of a driftwood clubhouse (all candy traders need a suitable forum to trade their salt water booty). Like a ragged band of shipwrecked castaways, we scattered in every direction to find sea-soaked logs and driftwood timbers to assemble a magnificent mansion. Though crudely constructed, it was emotionally spectacular. There is something special that occurs when you unite to create something with your children. With the pride of master craftsmen we crawled inside and savored the sandy floor made cool by the shade within our rickety clubhouse. Being in our driftwood castle with my children made all the chaos of the world fade away. The only things more enchanting than the filtered sunlight that streamed through the cracks of our driftwood cabin were the eager grins that could not be contained on the faces of my children. A king in his castle, surrounded by treasures. (written by my husband Steve)

What unsuspecting cherished moments have you found with your children. Your kid is extraordinary. Show them how much you enjoy every moment together by creating a special video of your own! You can check out the Your Extraordinary Kid video we created HERE.

Stanford Children’s Health is the largest Bay Area healthcare provider with an exclusive focus on children and expectant women.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.