toddler's walk

i took a walk yesterday. it was at a toddler's pace, which was 2 1/2 blocks in 25 minutes. for most of it i held the sweaty hand of the 2 1/2 year old that i was babysitting. i also carried a doll stroller for about a block when the gravel road didn't allow for pushing it. i decided that i really enjoyed the pace. no, we didn't go far. and we didn't really see very much. but several rocks attracted her attention. and when a neighbors dog came out i carried her and the stroller. and it was beautiful weather. and she really enjoyed it. i decided to take lots of walks with my kids. and although this summer of nannying and living in a house with a 2 1/2 year old have taught me that i am nowhere close to being ready to have kids, the walk with her made me excited to one day be responsible for planning days for my own kids. i hope that when i do have kids i'll remember to go slow; to walk at the pace that kids do; to let them dawdle.
in other news, a week from today i will by flying out of atlanta to wien. my bags are almost completely packed, i have bought almost everything that i need, and i am almost ready to leave. lots of almosts. :)