It doesn't seem to matter if the boys in your house are big or small, they all love their toys.
The house seems to bustle with activity from sun up to bed time. Boys are especially active and if you have them in your house, you know what I mean. They just ooze energy and need to be doing something all the time. The kids aren't going outside in recent days because the temperature has been so cold, but I am looking forward to this weekend where temps are supposed to be in the sixties. What a change from single digits earlier this week. The kids will be able to get outdoors and "blow off the stink" as Grandma would say.
Then there's Celeste who tends to like movies, music, clothes, magazines, books, scrap booking, photography, and writing. She has times where she likes being active, but she definitely is all GIRL.
So what are the boys into? Shad started using his new exersaucer on Christmas day and has spent a lot of time playing in it since. From the moment we put him in it, he stood up strong and played with the toys like he knew exactly what they were!
Levi and Zeke enjoyed the Thomas the Tank engine track that was up since we decorated the Christmas tree, but last night we exchanged it for the Rescue Heroes play set and figurines. The set had been up in the attic for storage, so it was a little dirty. They cleaned it themselves with sponges and old toothbrushes (and probably did a more thorough job than I would have). It's fun to cycle out toys like that. Around here, we have so much that we couldn't possibly have everything out that we have. It would overstimulate them and cause a lot of mess! Creating a toy cycle is something that I highly recommend for kids at any age!
Levi and Zeke got a scooter for Christmas that they love to tool around the house on. It's not very big, so it really isn't that big of a deal to ride it in the house. They also got a stop sign and a stop light that actually lights up. For years we used construction paper traffic signs that we made... and hey, someone actually got the idea of making plastic ones. They're great! Here are Levi and Zeke sharing their new toy...
We did have one accident in the entry way last week when the kids knocked off a huge ceramic rooster from it's milk can perch and broke it into a gazillion pieces. They were playing with our 4 foot long yard stick... using it as a ramp for matchbox cars. Zeke had it tucked under his arm and turned around to give his Dad a kiss goodbye and the stick pushed the rooster off. It had been knocked off before several years ago, but I managed to glue most of it back together. Not this time. Oh, well. I collect roosters and it's not like I don't have several more. I simply replaced it with a different large one that my mother-in-law had given me.
Summing it all up:
As parents, I think that playing with your kids is one of the best bonding tools you can utilize. It speaks to them on their level and you also show them that you value their thoughts and interests. That goes from the tiniest in your house to the oldest. Take every opportunity you can to interact with the kids.
I also think it's important to let kids play and "live" in their house. I've been several homes where the kids aren't allowed to ever make messes or noise... that's not living. Sure, you want to set limits, but kids need to be kids. Don't put adult restrictions on children. Children learn through play and experiences.
Psalm 148:12-13
