I teach 5th grade, but taught 2nd grade for one year. Although I didn't love the little ones as much (too touchy-feely, and they didn't get my sometimes dry sense of humor ), I had a lot of fun with them. I really love my job, and consider myself to be very lucky that I have the opportunity to be an influence on a young person's life. The pay isn't bad (considering the time off), the rewards are great, and I wouldn't trade it for the world. That being said, there is A LOT of work involved. Not only in the planning and grading, but managing 24+ families and keeping the peace with everyone. Burnout is common (I experienced it myself after 7 years), and stress can be high with so much at stake- but it's still the best job I could ever imagine having.
I agree you should volunteer in a classroom and really talk to teachers and see what it's all about. I tell my non-teaching friends that although I get two months off in the summer and two weeks off at Christmas- I work as hard in those 9.5 months as others do in their 11.5 months of work.