Look Up
We are taking a lake trip to Table Rock Lake with the whole family. Grandma, aunts and uncles, cousins, and all. By the time you read this we will have already gone, but if you are anything like me—trips are fun and exciting, but the planning and organization can get to be a lot. (So. Many. Lists.) I enjoy being the planner of things, but summer is busy, and between keeping up with travels, family visiting, camps or activities for the kids, and my own writing commitments—this momma is tired.
This morning while making the packing lists and grocery lists for the adventure, my kids have been playing together. Very well I might add. There has only been one crying spell each and LOTS of giggles, so I’m counting it as a win. They both came into the kitchen with hard hats on yelling, “Lava.” They were “building” a shelter from an erupting volcano out of couch cushions. I took a break from my planning duties and sat outside with them while they colored and stickered postcards (thanks for the activity, Chick-fil-a). When they were done, we had a snack…after this postcard and snack break, I went back to planning mode and they went back to the volcano shelter building. I finished my lists for everyone and heard Tucker say to Ella, “Have fun at school, have a good day.” Ella responded, “Have a good day.” I peeked in the room trying not to disrupt their play and she had a little backpack on. The next scene I witnessed was the two of them sitting in the recliner together with a tea party tray and “food.” Tucker yelled, “Mommy, we are eating school food at lunch.” Even as I write this, I’m smiling because I love how creative they get with their imaginations.
They ran back to the play kitchen and Tucker had a pan—he was making noodles. He was explaining to Ella how he makes noodles and that they needed to go in the freezer to chill. I laughed out loud, which made them smile, but also put an end to the moment. Good job, Mom! I think there is a real connection between how well my kids play pretend and how often we read and escape to other places together on the adventures provided by words. I have been reading the chapter series, The Magic Tree House, to the kids. Surprisingly, Ella sits and listens to a chapter right along with Tucker. But somehow from reading some of those books, our playhouse has turned into a magic tree house, and our two goldendoodles that walk around the base of it if we are all in there, have turned into lions we are hoping to escape from. Isn’t that incredible? A book has taken them on adventures and now they are creating their own in the backyard.
I tell you this to remind you, and myself, to take moments of pause from the daily tasks, or in my case list making, to enjoy the sweet, beautiful innocence that is childhood. To smile and try to remember the wonder you had as a kid. Whether it was from jumping on a trampoline or fixing imaginary noodles for your sister and her dolls in the play kitchen. It’s a reminder to look up because sometimes the truest form of magic isn’t on a screen, but right in front of you.
I hope you thoroughly enjoy this weekend. Get outside—and as always, happy reading.