Lunch at Pirate Bay, Curacao today was similar to most of my dining experiences here. We relaxed on the beach and listened to the waves gently crash on the shore and the birds sing their playful tune as we enjoyed a casual dining experience. I looked out on the ocean and saw three girls playing at the end of the dock. It made a great photo opportunity so I made my way toward them to see if I could grab a cute photo. They jumped at the chance to be in a picture. (I asked their mom of course.) Although their first language wasn’t English, we easily communicated through laughter, smiles, and hand gestures. Their innocence and playful nature stayed with me all day.
Sometimes I wish I could be a kid again. So happy. So full of joy. So content with the simplest of things. As a mother, I get to relive those moments all over again and that is one of the greatest joys in life.
One of the best moments of the trip so far was watching them play and it didn’t cost a cent. I look forward to taking the leap with Athena… when she’s ready.
Bucket List Publications 
Looks so summery!
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How sweet. I especially love this quote: “Sometimes I wish I could be a kid again. So happy. So full of joy. So content with the simplest of things”
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It was such a lovely experience. Sometimes we forget to slow down and enjoy those moments. 🙂
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Precisely. So good that you fully understand that as such a young lady.
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Great pictures…the first picture looks a lot like a natural spring that’s close to me. I agree that one of the best things about being a parent is reliving the joy and innocence of childhood a bit!
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Looks fantastic. Wish I was with you.
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Love the freedom and happiness expressed by the girls’s in mid-air.
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What fun! Thanks for the story and pictures! I feel the summer!
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Thanks for sharing this with me and everyone Lesley… I get the expression of Freedom…
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Makes me homesick
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Where is home?
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I want to jump in too!!!
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Meet me there today and we’ll jump together 🙂
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I wiiiiiiish!
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Looks like a lot of fun… And well, I guess you are kind of “like a kid” – you are not afraid of adventures!:)
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I am afraid of some adventures but conquering the fear is sometimes the best part. What’s your favorite adventure?
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Well I love extreme sports and nature… So I really enjoy your swimming/flying adventures:) What I would love to try is heliskiing though… And surfing in a place where the water is warm and you don’t need a wetsuit, unlike Portugal… Well and bungee jumping, over a river… And skydiving… And I could continue;)
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Almost surreal, with those thatched roof huts set against the tropical back drop. Excellent! The kind of place you see in movies that, when you see it in real life, it must be at once mindboggling and relaxing. Life is about finding such places!
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It’s hard to believe that they exist outside of movies but I’m reminded of the beauty that surrounds us daily and it always brings a smile to my face. Italy is very much like that for me as well. I look forward to returning in the near future. Have you ever been to Curacao?
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No such luck! But a good buddy from college is from Venezuela, and he’s told me about how amazing those islands are. Add another one to the bucket list :).
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We teach or kids so much as parents and in return they remind us of the lessons we’ve forgotten.
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Beautifully stated! Have a great day 🙂
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I am staying with a friend of mine, and their subdivision has a pool. It is really fun to turn off the “grown-up: button and just have fun with the kids.
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We love taking underwater photos in the pool. You should give it a shot 😉
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As a mother you get to relive your childhood through your children … but wait until you’re a grandmother! You get to be a kid again with your grandbabies and watch your children re-live their childhood at the same time. What a hoot! I’ve never had so much fun in my life as I have since my grandparenthood. You have so much joy ahead of you!
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Don’t worry Lesley, in my mind: you capture the spirit of young girls everywhere! That smile, that joie de vivre, and your amazing sense of adventure. You inspire me with every post!
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Wonderful pics! Their happiness and energy really comes through. I agree – seeing life through your child’s eyes reminds you of life’s simple pleasures.
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I love watching children at play too, especially in the water in summer.
Fabulous photos.
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Wow!! Great… 🙂
Kids is a freedom …. 🙂
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Just a few exotic cocktails and you’ll feel like a kid again and from there on it’s only a small step to jumping in the water! Enjoy! 😉
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Awesome Pics! enjoy
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Great post! We can learn so much from children (: It’s always nice to discover free joy – it’s all around us. Thank you for sharing it with us!
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This post reminded me of that song “Back in the days when I was young I’m not a kid anymore
But some days I sit and wish I was a kid again” 🙂 Love the pictures!
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Brought a smile to my face. Nice! 🙂
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Back in my traveling days, I used to carry an English – wherever I was dictionary, and a bag of hard butterscotch candies. It was great fun heading out, giving candy to children while trying to make conversation looking up each word. When I was in Okinawa in the 70’s, I used to go to a non-English speaking bar; we would communicate by drawing pictures on doilies. Great fun! Thanks for bringing those memories back to life.
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