Outgrowing the Water Table

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I loved our water table. We got it when I was pregnant with my second child and some of my most relaxing mornings as a new mama to “two under two” were spent on our back deck drinking coffee (it is still a rare occasion when I actually get to drink my coffee while it’s still warm) with my newborn hanging out in the bouncy seat, while my 1 ½ year old played contentedly in the water table.

As both of my girls grew older, they used the water table less often, but it still proved itself well worth the money on the days we did pull it out. I could usually count on it to give me at least 45 minutes of freedom to get something done in the house while the girls splashed, poured and eventually ended up naked climbing in it like it was a swimming pool.

Water TableThis summer though was different. This year both girls became very interested in learning to swim at the “big pool” and since we didn’t have air conditioning all summer (I know!) we went to the pool almost daily for at least an hour to cool off. The water table hung all by itself in its storage spot off the side of the deck, slowly getting covered in grime from lack of use.  Finally, I accepted reality and put it out by the curb on garbage day. It looked so sad and lonely sitting there by itself.

I am acutely aware of the fact that my children are growing up, entirely too fast. But, something about them outgrowing their water table made me want to cry. Gone are the days of toddlerhood when something as simple as a water table provided endless amusement and exploration. My littles are growing up… as they have to do, I suppose. And most of the time, I enjoy that. I like watching them learn and try new things. But, at the same time, it is hard to reconcile the joy you get from watching them grow with the reality that other moments are gone for good. I constantly ask my children if they can just stay the age they are at now, forever. They humor me for a while and then Nora usually gently tells me “You know I have to turn 5 soon, right?” Yes, I do know. And it will be amazing.

I have such wonderful memories of the feelings of contentment that were brought about by those mornings when it was me and my two girls and we were figuring out life together as a slightly bigger family for the first time. I will always have those memories, even if we no longer have the water table.

What have you struggled to part with as your children have grown older?

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