I had coupons that expired at Old Navy today. So I did something I never do – I took three girls, ages 2, 5 & 7 shopping – at the same time! They were great. They were thrilled about buying swimsuits and the thought of the beach while they still needed a winter coat to walk outside.
When we got home the little girls wanted to put on their suits right away. This led to all kinds of wonderful child-led play fueled by their imaginations. I loved it. I loved the joy it brought them and the peace I got in the kitchen while making dinner and sipping on my favorite beer of the moment, a Blue Moon Winter Abbey.
The little girls are still little enough that they were absolutely thrilled to have matching swimsuits. This made them giddy enough!
When my middle girl suggested to my toddler that they “go to the beach,” or course she was up the fun.
I ran down to the basement, got out a big beach towel and threw it on the floor in the middle or the living room. From there, beach balls, bath toys, sun hats and an umbrella were added that they found in various parts of the house.
All meanwhile I enjoyed mixing, spicing and stirring my homemade chili. Homemade as in I soaked the beans, used tomatoes canned from our garden and local, fresh cow meat for the three meat eaters in the house – which um, never happens. But I was feeling extra nice at the co-op during my last visit. It turned out pretty good. Most of us were happy, minus my most picky eater – the vegetarian who won’t eat beans.
After the living room beach scene the fun moved to the hallway, which was “the ocean.” Then came the idea to have the ocean in the bathtub, which is in the hall bath right off the kitchen. Everything got moved in there and that became “the beach.” The fun kept on going for about an hour, till we had to clean up for dinner.
Yes there was water everywhere, dripped around the circular footprint of the house as the two decided to get out of “the ocean” and play in “the sand” – on the hardwood floors. Hey, at least they put their cover-ups on! Ha.
The clean up was worth it. It was fun.
I love imaginative, child-led play. There is nothing like it. Even if it means mopping the floor with a giant oversized beach towel big enough for two adults. I always try to say yes to it.
Tonight, I think it even made the chili taste even better.
To read more about my views on child-led play, read my post Confession: I don’t play with my kids and why that’s not such a bad thing. I also like a post over at Awake Parent Perspectives called Following the child: How child directed games and activities can create connection, learning and mutual cooperation.
