A Little Imagination
I love listening in on my children as they play. It's so fun and creative. Last night as I was making supper, I was listening to Ana and Abby as they raced around the house playing together. They were pretending to be angels on a mission. They were searching for the wisemen so they could help them find baby Jesus and bring him gifts. They stopped to ask various shepherds, sheep, Mary & Joseph if they knew where to find a wiseman or two. However, their search was not at all tranquil. They were pressed on every side by all sorts of dangers. They had to elude the dinosaurs that were chasing them, watch out for poison packs, disarm traps, and carry swords so they could fight any other danger they might encounter. They ran all over the house as they played their game. It was great!
We prefer our kids to play with their imaginations rather than being entertained by things. We limit TV time to maybe an hour a week, allow a movie about once a week, and try to keep computer time to 20 minutes a day around 3-4 times a week. That allows plenty of time for them to fill with creative play. They can turn pretty much anything into fun. The other day, David and Ana were playing on the stairs, pretending it was a giant escalator as they raced up and down trying to avoid things that were falling from the sky (like giant yo-yos). They were having a racous time and no one got hurt as they hurtled up and down the stairs together yelling like crazy kids.
Aaron helps fuel that imagination by telling them amazing bedtime stories that he makes up. Last night was the final chapter in the epic tale he has been telling the kids for the past three years. Yes, you read that right, three years. It's a story that has captured their hearts and imagination and has been told over countless hours at bedtime, car rides, walks together, and sitting around the table at night. The characters of the story have been a part of their lives (and play) for a long time in their lives. The kids (and me) love to hear him tell stories. Their faces are a mirror to their feelings as they listen. Their eyes are big, their mouths hang slightly open, bodies tense during intense scenes, laughing uproariously during the apparently hilarious parts. They have been drawn into this story. But alas, it had to end someday, and last night was the end of the story. The final chapter finally came where good finally vanquished evil and there was at last happiness and peace in the land. The kids sat with smiling faces as all lose ends were tied up and all their questions finally answered. It was a lovely moment. But slightly sad to say good-bye to the beloved characters of Aijorn Pigdrover, Alyssia, Ned, Horst, Adux, Red Bucket, Lady Opula. It was a true epic story that the kids will cherish as they grow up and look back on these times with their dad and treasure them. I only wish I had started recording the story from the beginning to be able to write it down for them to read over and over as I know they would love to do. Once the story was finally over, Ana immediately asked for "tell another story!" So who knows, perhaps Aaron is working on his next story in his head and will start a new one. Maybe this time I can record it and write it down for them to always have and remember. All I know is that I married a master storyteller. He felt a little sad too last night as he had finally reached the end of the tale. Perhaps he'll take a few days to regroup and rest before embarking on a new adventure with the kids and introducing new characters into their lives.
We prefer our kids to play with their imaginations rather than being entertained by things. We limit TV time to maybe an hour a week, allow a movie about once a week, and try to keep computer time to 20 minutes a day around 3-4 times a week. That allows plenty of time for them to fill with creative play. They can turn pretty much anything into fun. The other day, David and Ana were playing on the stairs, pretending it was a giant escalator as they raced up and down trying to avoid things that were falling from the sky (like giant yo-yos). They were having a racous time and no one got hurt as they hurtled up and down the stairs together yelling like crazy kids.
Aaron helps fuel that imagination by telling them amazing bedtime stories that he makes up. Last night was the final chapter in the epic tale he has been telling the kids for the past three years. Yes, you read that right, three years. It's a story that has captured their hearts and imagination and has been told over countless hours at bedtime, car rides, walks together, and sitting around the table at night. The characters of the story have been a part of their lives (and play) for a long time in their lives. The kids (and me) love to hear him tell stories. Their faces are a mirror to their feelings as they listen. Their eyes are big, their mouths hang slightly open, bodies tense during intense scenes, laughing uproariously during the apparently hilarious parts. They have been drawn into this story. But alas, it had to end someday, and last night was the end of the story. The final chapter finally came where good finally vanquished evil and there was at last happiness and peace in the land. The kids sat with smiling faces as all lose ends were tied up and all their questions finally answered. It was a lovely moment. But slightly sad to say good-bye to the beloved characters of Aijorn Pigdrover, Alyssia, Ned, Horst, Adux, Red Bucket, Lady Opula. It was a true epic story that the kids will cherish as they grow up and look back on these times with their dad and treasure them. I only wish I had started recording the story from the beginning to be able to write it down for them to read over and over as I know they would love to do. Once the story was finally over, Ana immediately asked for "tell another story!" So who knows, perhaps Aaron is working on his next story in his head and will start a new one. Maybe this time I can record it and write it down for them to always have and remember. All I know is that I married a master storyteller. He felt a little sad too last night as he had finally reached the end of the tale. Perhaps he'll take a few days to regroup and rest before embarking on a new adventure with the kids and introducing new characters into their lives.
Those are quite the angels...if they were looking for the wisemen...all they had to do was look at their parents. Great job of child raising.
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