Conversations with 3-year-olds

This past Sunday, I had the delightful experience of working with the 3-5 year old children in their summer program. Now I have spent about 5 years of my life working with young kids in the church, but I don't know that I've ever interacted with them for an hour and a half at a time - usually I just lead singing for 15-30 minutes. So, it was fun to be with these kids during the entire church service. It always amazes me how much energy and attitude children only 3 years out of the womb can have. And it also amazes me what a short attention span they have. But despite their craziness, there is always something so lovable and endearing about them. (Although I am very happy with Nathan and my decision to wait at least 4 or 5 years before having children.) :)
Anyway, I got to lead the kids through pay time, singing, a bible story, and a couple group games. I was most impressed with their engagement in the singing. Even though they didn't know the songs at all and couldn't read the words, they enthusiastically did all the motions with me, which I randomly made up on the spot, and they gave their best shot at clapping too.
There was one little boy who talked just like Stewart from the MAD tv skits.... if any of you know what I'm talking about. We'd ask him to please come over the circle and sit down and he'd say "NOOoooo" in a funny high pitched, breathy voice. (Nick, this voice also reminded me of the funny little voice you often make) He also got into quite a fight with a little girl who, when they were playing with the beaver puppets, would not acknowledge that her beaver, was, in fact, his beaver's mother. She would only growl at him. Sometimes I had to hold back a chuckle, and sometimes I didn't worry about holding it back. I know little kids can be frustrating, but I really do enjoy them. I'm looking forward to working more directly with the kids over the next couple Sundays and when we have VBS at the end of my internship. I think it will be great fun.
On another note, today I'm meeting with Kary, and I think that will also be delightful.