Imagination – kids have such big ideas and you can tell the wheels are always turning. It’s so awesome to be around their little minds.

Smiles – every smile, the impish smile, the cute smile, the toothless grin, the “come and get me” smile, the laugh out loud smile. It lights up your day.

Cute – kids are adorable, it can’t be denied. They always come up with adorable things to do or say and it’s pretty awesome!

Kid Stories – I’m talking stories your kid tells you! Sometimes they take forever to explain something but it’s always so heartfelt and expressive.

Their Energy – it can be hard to keep up with them sometimes, but you have to admit, it’s pretty awesome how they seem to just keep going and going and going.

Laughing With Them – a funny joke, knocking a tower over, a silly face, it’s all worth a laugh. And when you laugh together, it’s pretty awesome.

Little Notes – once kids learn to write a few words they start making sweet little notes. For those who work with older kids (especially middle school age) those notes are sweet but in a weird dinosaur destroying a city sort of way. Still pretty awesome!

Hugs – those messy, sticky hugs from your kid are the best.

When They Do Things Without Being Asked – no explanation needed, it’s just awesome.

Snuggles – similar to a hug but longer. When your kid rests their head on your shoulder and relaxes, letting all their cares go away because they are where they belong, in your arms.

Little Games – kids come up with the funniest little games. A stick becomes a drill, a rock is an airplane…nothing is as it seems, it’s so much bigger.

When They Take Your Hand – this doesn’t happen often with older kids so if you’ve got young ones, enjoy it while you can!

Kissing Booboos – you have this magic to make things better. A booboo goes away when you kiss it. Crazy I know, but it’s pretty awesome.

Little Footprints – those little feet carry your children everywhere. And when they leave little prints it’s like a small reminder of how amazing your kid is (and how amazing that you’re their parent/grandparent/teacher/friend etc).

Dancing With Them – those crazy dance moves kids make are so cute and funny. Nothing better than busting a move along with them!

When They Lay Their Head on You – usually when they are tired, you become a pillow. It’s so sweet and you don’t want to move, even though your arm has fallen asleep.

Their Empathy – most kids are still learning about empathy but they do know when someone is hurt or sad. It’s sweet to watch them try to make it better.

Their Favourite Toy – a truck, a doll, a book, a bear…every kid has their favourite. They always go back to that old reliable and it’s pretty awesome.

Fingerprints on Windows – I think grandparents appreciate these more than anyone but they’re still pretty awesome. Especially if they’re accompanied by dog nose prints.

Baking with Them – it’s messy, it’s time consuming and it may not turn out, but it’s fun to let them practice skills. Still awesome!

Reading to Them – there’s nothing better than both of you engaging in a book together. One of our favourites is “Where Do Diggers Dig?”

Teaching Them Something New – when the lightbulb moment goes off in their head and you are right there helping them, it’s pretty awesome!

Sharing Their Food – when they offer you a piece of their cookie or one of their crackers, it’s pretty awesome!

Hand Drawn Pictures – you may have a thousand pictures and here comes one more. But they’re so sweet!

When They’re Busy – they’ve found an activity that captures their attention and they are completely absorbed in it. Hopefully it’s something not deconstructive!

Their Uniqueness – every kid is their own person with their own personality. Getting to know them is special and pretty awesome!