I’m often far too task oriented. And then when I’m not working on my to-do list, I’m often reading a book or on my phone. But not all the time. Sometimes I forget about everything I have to do, I don’t worry about how tired I am and take time to dance with the kids. I watch as my little toddler copies every move I do. I let the kids run under my long legs again and again and again. I’m just present and enjoying my family. That’s joy.
In my garden, I’ve focused on more integrated play. We have the slide in the hill, swings on the tree, etc. I like to work for easy ways to incorporate areas that don’t take a lot of money or time, and allow for a lot of create play.
My neighbor cut down a tree awhile ago, and I went and brought over some of the old trunk. Right now they are laid out as steps, but it might change later to something else. The kids have had lots of fun playing on them, and even get mom involved. It was simple, free and fun!
The boys and I traveled down south to visit this small amusement park and visit Grandma. Henry, at three feet tall, was just barely tall enough to go on all the rides. I put him on this frog hopper. It started, and his face filled with fear and apprehension. This was not fun!
But he looked around and found his Mom. And she had a smile on her face and told him it was just fine. The fear left, and gradually it was replaced with joy! He laughed on went on multiple times. Sometimes it just takes one reassuring look to make all the difference.
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My husband has a habit of calling a misbehaving child, “You little punk.” Curtis now uses that phrase in his vocabulary all the time. Make sure you only say things you don’t mind your kid’s repeating.) When Peter decided to use his bumper boat to squirt the crowd, I used the same phrase to describe him!
Peter made cloud dough at summer camp, and when he found out we had the ingredients, he wanted to make it at home too. It’s really simple, just a mix of shaving cream and cornstarch, so I agreed. But we did take it outside. That was a good decision because the kids basically dumped it all over when I had my back turned.
Watching the boys play together is often waiting for a fight to explode. The youngest two get along really well, but the older two do not. They are constantly mad at each other for little incursions. I have to play referee and break up a lot of fights. But when they do get along, it is joyful to seem them look after each other and care about each other. They are actually really good friends, even if we can’t get through a day without some sort of fight!
When you have little boys and see a police rescue vehicle like this on display, you stop.
Lately I’ve been thinking how I should be happy with where I am in life. It isn’t perfect. I don’t think anything in my ever life will ever be perfect. But many things are very good. I’m grateful for what I have. It’s better to celebrate the good than to worry about everything that isn’t quite perfect or bad.
On Saturday we went to the Hill Aerospace Museum with my brother and his family. The kids had fun time making paper airplanes and throwing them off a balcony.
After, we went up to the Ogden Nature Center for a very hot small hike. We had lunch at the treehouse. Peter was very excited that he could climb all the way in a tree.
And I have a new goal to remember my camera more, so I don’t have to keep taking low quality photos with my phone.
It’s a strange holiday. It’s only in Utah, celebrating the first Europeans that settled here. There wasn’t any change in schedule. (My husband doesn’t get many holidays off.) But there was quite a fun celebration at the park in our town. They had music, games and crafts for the kids, food, and an opportunity to do genealogy. We have a lot of ancestors that were pioneers, so I did take the opportunity to share some of their names and stories with the kids.
Curtis finished tee ball! He did a great job. But I have to admit I’m looking forward to soccer. Tee ball is a bit boring for everyone involved.
Liz Braithwaite 