{finally.}
There is this wonderful thing happening at our house as this week progresses. My children are playing. Together. Without me and using little more than their imaginations. Finally. About a week ago, I was a little worried about the possibility of this not happening over this break.
When school let out a week ago, there was so much going on. There were presents to shop for, wrap, and give. There were holiday goodies to bake. There were orders to watch me complete for the little shop. There was a family Christmas to be had and all of the new present that came with that. There was packing to do. There were date night babysitters to play with. There were new presents to open and be excited about. There were new video games and LeapFrogs. There were grandparents and aunts and uncles and cousins and dogs to play with. There were Christmas movies and Christmas books and Christmas songs being enjoyed round the clock.
In short, my children were entertained every second for days on end.
Which is wonderful and exciting and exactly what makes Christmas such a happy time of the year, but it also seems to make my kids forget how to just play or be alone for a bit.
By about Tuesday of this week, we were all a little cranky. Sickness in the house did not help. There was so much bickering and complaining about being bored. Drew, especially, wanted me to entertain him every second. I was overwhelmed by constant requests for screen time. It felt like my kids, who are normally really good at playing together, could just not get along. By Wednesday night, I was wishing away the rest of Winter Break- something I have never done before.
Then, miraculously, yesterday morning things got better. The kids started some role-playing game that I wouldn't even begin to explain to you, but it made them all happy. Yesterday afternoon while Katie took a good, long nap, the older three played upstairs together for two hours without once coming down to ask for a single thing or need me to referee an argument. Once Katie woke up, we did a little writing together and then all four kids played on the Kinnect together for the longest time.
Today has been more of the same. I am typing to the giggles of them playing hide and seek around the house. For about an hour already this morning, they played another one of their make believe games in the family room. I don't know exactly what it was, but it involved paper and crayons and blankets and pretzels and made everyone happy.
The past two days are exactly what I love about school breaks. I LOVE the break from homework and chores and little friends coming over and packing lunches and lessons and strict bedtimes. I LOVE not being on a schedule. I LOVE the time to watch the kids just play together.
My heart is happy this morning.
When school let out a week ago, there was so much going on. There were presents to shop for, wrap, and give. There were holiday goodies to bake. There were orders to watch me complete for the little shop. There was a family Christmas to be had and all of the new present that came with that. There was packing to do. There were date night babysitters to play with. There were new presents to open and be excited about. There were new video games and LeapFrogs. There were grandparents and aunts and uncles and cousins and dogs to play with. There were Christmas movies and Christmas books and Christmas songs being enjoyed round the clock.
In short, my children were entertained every second for days on end.
Which is wonderful and exciting and exactly what makes Christmas such a happy time of the year, but it also seems to make my kids forget how to just play or be alone for a bit.
By about Tuesday of this week, we were all a little cranky. Sickness in the house did not help. There was so much bickering and complaining about being bored. Drew, especially, wanted me to entertain him every second. I was overwhelmed by constant requests for screen time. It felt like my kids, who are normally really good at playing together, could just not get along. By Wednesday night, I was wishing away the rest of Winter Break- something I have never done before.
Then, miraculously, yesterday morning things got better. The kids started some role-playing game that I wouldn't even begin to explain to you, but it made them all happy. Yesterday afternoon while Katie took a good, long nap, the older three played upstairs together for two hours without once coming down to ask for a single thing or need me to referee an argument. Once Katie woke up, we did a little writing together and then all four kids played on the Kinnect together for the longest time.
Today has been more of the same. I am typing to the giggles of them playing hide and seek around the house. For about an hour already this morning, they played another one of their make believe games in the family room. I don't know exactly what it was, but it involved paper and crayons and blankets and pretzels and made everyone happy.
The past two days are exactly what I love about school breaks. I LOVE the break from homework and chores and little friends coming over and packing lunches and lessons and strict bedtimes. I LOVE not being on a schedule. I LOVE the time to watch the kids just play together.
My heart is happy this morning.
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