Chicken nuggets.

Those that know me well had to have known I would not be able to get very far into this blogging experience without talking about my favorite thing. Which is adorable babies. And by babies I definitely mean anyone under the age of 7, though I have learned to not call them babies to their face because they get incredibly offended (most of them are older siblings to actual infants).  Children are the coolest. They are so easily delighted, so quick to befriend anyone they meet, and so expressive.

This last week I spent four hours a day hanging out with (and wrangling and shushing) 50 little nuggets between the ages of 4 and 7 at a local theatre camp. Let's be real, there is nothing more entertaining than a five-year-old with a flair for the performing arts. For example:

• I handed a little camper her script, told her what it was, and she immediately informed me (in a business-like tone): "But I can't read."  

• Throughout the week, the staff followed the always dramatic and at times contradicting love story of Angel Face and her Romeo. Sometimes she loved him, sometimes she literally ran away, but those two stuck together like glue for most of the week. It was hysterical, precious, and a solid reminder that some things, like fickle hearts and relationship drama, never change.

• There was a redhead who showed up as Rogue (complete with gloves) for super hero day.

• When asked to show the staff special talents (ie: cartwheels, splits, spins), one kid came to the center of the room and struck a pose. That was it. "I look good," he said. "That's my special skill."

• One of the youngest campers was the Pre-K version of Sutton Foster and my sister combined. Or, the cutest child ever. I never had a clue what she was saying, but it was okay because she was just that adorable.

• I caught one little girl who was away from the rest of her group, playing in the curtains backstage and poking her head out to look at the audience. I swiftly walked over and asked her to find her team, but she very calmly said "No, no. I'm standing by for my next scene." What. A. Star.

True to form, I teared up a little during the last song as I stood backstage and watched everyone take a bow. A week of exhaustion, minor frustration and total insanity seemed absolutely worth it when my favorite little campers ran over to hug goodbye. I can only hope I am able to find jobs working with kids for the rest of my life. Sure they're a mess, but they are precious little reminders to busy adults that it's okay to be amazed. It's okay to not know the answer. And, maybe most importantly, it's okay to believe wholeheartedly in the impossible.