The Kindergarten Pick-Up Artist.

While AB and I were at the library yesterday, I was approached by a cherubic little girl. She asked me if I would read a book to her. I suggested that she ask her dad, thinking that should be asking him to read to her. But instead, she was asking his permission for me to read to her. I was taken aback for a very brief moment, but then I thought, This kid wants to read so let's to read. AB was up for it, so we found a tiny table and started to read.

It soon became apparent that AB was a more advanced reader than our new friend. So I found myself trying to juggle an increasingly uninterested (and slightly jealous) 5 year old and a superinterested (and slightly hyper) 5 year old. After a few rounds of reading the first two pages from various books, interspersed with discussion of tomboys, princesses, and school fundraisers (oddly enough), the girls and I took the fun outside. We got permission from her dad (again) and went to the playground next to the library.

It was there that we proceeded to swing, run, climb, slide, spin, tag, hide, and seek until our new friend had to leave for a less (hello there, Mr. Extracurricular). However, her father and I made plans for the girls to meet again this afternoon.

There were two things that impressed me about this experience. First, the ease with which little kids become friends. The girls had never laid eyes on one another before. They didn't know each other's names (and still don't). But they quickly bonded over a love reading and playing. It was just so easy. Second, the confidence with which our new friend approached me with her reading proposal. I think part of it was her personality, which could definitely be described as gregarious. Yet, I also believe that it stemmed from experience. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that AB and I were not the first kid-parent duo she had picked up at the library. And I found that to be kind of awesome.

This unexpected playdate was truly unexpected joy, which is hands down the best kind.