Yes unfortunately children don't stay kids. But I will tell you that in the long run you will find that the period they have had being kids will be of benefit to them. At least that is what we found with our two.

Your experience sounds a lot like a few places we have lived. I have been on a project where the village had a community farm going along with animals and veges which kept us all going. It was hard work but we all chipped in and it became a lot of fun. It was one of those where you were extremely sad the day that it all ended.