Simple Pleasures: Joyce's Slinky

Have you ever had that giddy feeling when you find the perfect gift for someone you love? That is exactly how I felt when I saw a rainbow colored slinky at Target this spring. I knew it was the perfect gift for Joyce. Scott was skeptical of my purchase, but I insisted. Thankfully, my Joyce did not let me down! Once she figured out how the slinky worked, she was hooked.

I have always called Joyce my "little monkey." She is an extremely physical child-climbing, running, dancing and jumping rope. In some ways, she reminds me of a slinky.

Yesterday as I scrolled through the thousands of trip photos on my computer I took great delight in the photos of Joyce playing with her slinky. I want to pass some of that simple delight onto you. Enjoy!

Trying to figure out what this thing is supposed to do!

Trial Run

Success!

She is hooked!

Sadly, this story does not have such a happy ending. After two days of play, Joyce's slinky had a tragic...and fatal...accident. She met me at the gates of Ranch one afternoon just as I opened the passenger door to exit the landcruiser. Tears were streaming down her face. Her slinky was in two pieces. Another little girl (who will remain nameless) accidentally broke it while she was playing with Joyce.

Although we tried to repair it, our efforts were in vain. I told Joyce to look on the bright side-now she had TWO slinkies! "I just want one," she pouted. Joyce did her fair share of grieving that afternoon, but thankfully by the time we left she seemed to have gotten over the worst of it. I was sad for her sake. But at least she got so much pleasure out of her gift, even if it was brief!