Almost ten days since the dark looming cloud of illness (croup and ear infections) dipped down over our home, it has begun to lift.
Smiles are returning.
The life is coming back to both of my boys.
I missed it. Oh, I missed it. And it is so good to see.
Tonight there were bubbles!!
And the Vengaboys on Pandora.
Ah, yes, we’re back.
First, let me preface this by saying that we have been in our home since Sunday (aside from a very brief trip to the post office). In our home. Within these walls. For five days.
As much as I like my home, and I do, this has been a little much.
We started the week with a sick baby. Then it took down Ewan. We’ve had fevers and croup and a whole bunch of runny noses. We’ve had a big one saying, “I’m happy, but I’m not so good.” We’ve had lots of cuddles and stories and lying around. We’ve also had a bit of boredom.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. I think boredom is good. I think it is important. I think boredom forces us to come up with new plans, new ideas. Boredom gives us the space to dream.
After all, were it not for the boredom, I wouldn’t have the worlds largest masking tape highway running through our entire home right now.
What started as a simple undertaking with a roll of masking tape has taken on a life of its own. It reminds me of the “If you give a mouse a cookie” story.
If you build some roads, they are going to need some lines.
And then some parking lots.
And with all the traffic jams,
you’ll definitely need some stop signs (lights, too).
And it’s not over. Today we spent time painting buildings (a grocery store, an ice cream cone shop, and First Slice) that we’ll finish tomorrow.
Truth be told, I don’t know who is having the most fun with this whole project. I suppose that’s the best way.
I’ll keep you updated on our little town. I’m sure there will be much to show as it turns into a booming metropolis.
Sometimes I get into a bit of a rut. A rut I’m not terribly fond of. A “no” rut.
No, we can’t go to the playground right now.
No, playdoh is too messy.
No, you may not have any yogurt.
Wait a second….
No to yogurt? No to playdoh? No to the playground? Why?
Well, to be frank, sometimes it is just easier to say no. It is easier to brush off the requests, most of which are perfectly reasonable.
But that’s not who I want to be. That’s not the life I want to live. That’s not the mama I want these boys to remember.
I want to say yes! Live yes!
And yesterday when my little guy, overflowing with excitement about his new train track pieces, came out of quiet time asking if we could build a train track using every single piece of track I said YES!
Yes! We can build that track.
And we did. And it was awesome. (Even if it was declared that I wasn’t the best engineer, since there was one dead-end)
So, yes. I’m going to try to say it more. Try to do it more.
What about you? What do you want to say Yes to?
Sometimes I take for granted how independent Ewan is. How content he is to play, on his own. Most days he’s happy to be by my side, doing his own thing while I do mine. We interact and intersect in the pauses in all our doing – for a story, some cuddles, a snack. It’s nice, really.
Yesterday was not one of those days. Ewan did not want to play. He wanted to be entertained. And I was at a bit of a loss.
So, I turned to Pinterest. Specifically my “with the kiddos” board. (oh, and if you want to follow me over there, there is a neat little button in my sidebar. see it?)
Five minutes later we had a jug filled with cut up pipe cleaners and a few magnets.
Ewan was thrilled.
And so was I.
Happy kiddo. Happy mama.
What have you done with the kiddos lately for fun? Any other tricks I should have up my sleeve?
I’m going to make a bold statement here. I think all people are creative.
There, I said it. Before you disagree, let’s talk this one through.
If we can’t necessarily agree about all adults being creative, perhaps we can start with the children. All children are creative, right?
From my current sample size of two and my years as a teacher I would say that yes. All children start out with a creative spirit.
Never have I noticed or tuned in as much as I have with my own small people though. I mean, seriously, Ewan’s creativity as a boy nearing age three, amazes me. He sets up the most elaborate playscapes and scenarios. Some based in reality, others purely imaginary. It’s extraordinary, really.
I mean, check this out:
Here we have a auto garage, mechanic, and a car (with a flat tire) up on blocks. And Ewan played with it for hours. Chatting, having conversations. It’s amazing, really, the amount of focus he can have.
So, if that’s where we start, it’s hard to imagine that that creativity just disappears. That creative kids turn into un-creative adults. Rather, I think that creativity continues to exist in each of us, but in some it just sits dormant, waiting for the opportunity to reemerge.
Right now, I am enjoying the re-emergence. The ideas. I feel like I am three. My mind bursting.
I think I am experiencing this burst in creativity, in part, because I am with these little ones full-time. When I am constantly surrounded by their joy and passion and imagination it it hard to not be inspired.
I also have the time, space, encouragement and support to not only have grand ideas but also act on them. Some may scoff. Time?! How?! Mama of two little ones?
Some days I’m not always sure that I do have the time. Some days it is hairy. But I do make making a priority. Creating comes a close second on the list, right after feeding my family.
And I think that’s just about right. I want to show these little ones that creativity needn’t go dormant as the responsibilities of adult life settle in. I want them to see me be passionate and excited, just like them.
How about you? Do you make creativity a priority? Do you think all adults are creative?