games

Typically, Thursday and Friday are less hectic days for me, and Ben and I get to play together a lot more on those days. Unfortunately, sometimes I have to force myself to get in the floor instead of cleaning the kitchen or doing laundry. That should not be so - but it is. I am trying to be more intentional about play time with Ben because he often gets pulled into what ever activities the older kids are into at the time.

So, back to Thursday. First we worked 4 little 12-piece puzzles with a different construction vehicle on each one. He was upset that each puzzle was missing at least one piece, but they've been around for several years already. The pieces are probably in my couch somewhere - along with a lot of other stuff I don't want to think about. Next we played Guess Who? and Dora ABC - both modified to the abilities of a 2 year old. We worked another puzzle - a big 24 piece puzzle this time. After this, I finally caved in and agreed to Ben's favorite game: Hungry Hungry Hippos. Yes, the one with the little white marbles and the loud plastic hippos. My brother and sister-in-law graciously gave us this game a couple years ago for Christmas, apologizing as my children unwrapped it (thanks, Chad & Rachel)!! So, we played for several minutes and then the game ended as Ben proceeded to throw the marbles all over the family room. I found 2 more today while I was vacuuming!

Friday was similar but different. We played Hungry Hungry Hippos again with what marbles were recouped, and then we played kitchen. Ben poured me some yummy coffee from the water dispenser on the plastic refrigerator and then we both ate the same banana and french fries several times. Finally, we moved on to play with blocks as Annie got her chance at the same plastic yellow banana.

It may not have been the most productive day ever - and I didn't earn a single penny to put in the bank - but it was a lot of fun. I should have more days like that!

not very good at this

Wow - I'm really having trouble keeping up with this thing! I'll work on that . . .

Valentine's Day II

Okay, on the real Valentine's Day, we had pink heart-shaped pancakes for breakfast. Some of us even had strawberries in them - yum! Lunch was frozen corn dogs - okay, that wasn't all that significant. But then we had homemade pizza for dinner - it started out heart-shaped but ended up rectangular! Still tasted good. The fun part was when the lights went out. Maybe "chaotic" would be a better word! We had 4 extra kids here for the evening and everyone was spread throughout the house playing when the electricity went off. No storm, no wind, no snow, no rain, no ice - but no power. First, everyone yells and then cries and then follows Chad and me around while we look for flashlights and candles. Finally we converge in the kitchen where I pass out snacks (this quiets them temporarily) and begin to pull out some games. It was a little crazy for a little bit, but finally came back under control. The electricity came back on after about an hour and a half - just in time for bed! Happy Valentine's Day!