What's truly important to toddlers

Yesterday, we had an impromptu play date with a friend and her two daughters, the older one is almost 2.5 years old. We went to a family owned farm, one that's been in the family since 1898. They have opened it up to the public to visit and pet the animals, play on their playground, and purchase their produce and other goods. My camera SD card was full. FULL. And I didn't get around to taking pictures off over the weekend, so it's all my fault that there are no pictures. Seriously, I'm so lame. 

Anyway, Kent was IMMEDIATELY drawn to the chickens and tried to chase them to pet them. Good luck, buddy! He ran as fast as his little legs could, but those chickens raced even faster (I don't blame them), making figure eights and circles until Kent gave up to go see some goats instead. Moments before this, some of the lazy chickens were in the barn and there was some fresh poop just outside the pen. He was standing and interacting and talking about (or to?) the chickens in pure fascination, but precariously close to that turd. I kept telling him to be careful and move this way or that, but alas, he managed to step right in it. It had to happen. 

We visited all of the animals: goats, pigs, sheep, peacocks, donkeys, horses, and a mean goose. There was a bridge over a small creek and a ramp over some rocks. The playground was a big hit and we ended up having a picnic because nap time was getting later and later. We knew they would all fall asleep in the car, so we thought better to feed them everything in our combined purses. 

So every night when I put Kent to bed, we go over his day. We snuggle in the rocking chair and I summarize our activities or highlight some great or important moments (and feelings that go with it). Early on, he would just listen and give his "uh-huh" sounds, but now that he's much more verbal and making sentences right and left, he often chimes in, often jumping the gun to mention something before we get there in the timeline. Sometimes he wants to dwell on something previously mentioned and he keeps coming back to it. 

There we were, talking about the beautiful sunshine and our friends and the farm we visited. I was just listing the animals we got to meet and pet, and in comes Kent with what was most meaningful to him that day: "STEP ON CACA!" and next "PARK!" and "RAMP!"

Sigh. This is a genuine insight into a toddler's heart.