Yesterday afternoon it was almost 100 degrees, so we decided to go to the $3.00 show to see Date Night with Tina Fey and Steve Carell. It was a comedy, but the underlying theme was everyday relationship problems which affect married couples with young children. It was so cute, we laughed aloud, so I called my son and surprised him, told him I was coming over to babysit because he and my daughter-in-law had a date night. I purchased tickets for the next showing and gave them a night out. Upon their return, my daughter-in-law laughed and said, "I told Jason you were trying to send us a message. That couple was just like us!"
"No," I assured her, "they were just like all married couples with young children; those are universal problems. Every couple experiences these feelings." They enjoyed the show and I hope it minimized the hum-drum fizzle and lack of appreciation that we all feel from time to time, and I hope it put a spark into their lives.
Everyone thinks kids need electronic gadgets to keep them happy. I sat down with eight year old Nicholas, and his little eight year old buddy who was spending the night, and two year old Nicole to play a homemade game of color Bingo using their names. In order to include Nicole, I let her pull the bingo letters. She'd excitedly name the color, then she would repeat the letter after I called it: Red B. Blue N. I'd say, "Blue, I" and she would say, "Bwew, YOU". She is learning to insert pronouns into her language and so whenever I said I, she'd say YOU. It was too cute!
The kids sat at that table and played old fashioned games for an hour. I showed them a game I played as a kid. Players take turns drawing only one line dot-to-dot in order to connect the 100 dots spaced an inch apart on a piece of paper. Once you complete a square, then you print your initial in the box. Yes, it took a little energy to entertain them, but less energy than it would have taken to referee their arguing. The boys thought this was the greatest game ever. They even put down their Wii controllers, and they learned a bit about strategy. It was an hour well-spent, and we made wonderful memories.
What sort of 'simple' things did you do as a kid? Mother May I? Red light/green light? Paper dolls? What else?
10 comments:
Hello Linda...Oh, we definitely played Red Light on the front lawn. Also, Statue where we would "freeze" when the caller said to. I loved paper dolls and adored dolls of all kinds (still do!). Of course I read Nancy Drew books and loved going to the "outdoor movies." Do you remember those? ha! Thanks for the memories. Susan
Linda, you are awesome! Not only a thoughtful and generous mom but a FUN grandma, too! And WOW! I've forgotten some of those old games we played as kids! When I get home tonight, we're playing RED LIGHT GREEN LIGHT!! Thanks for the ideas. ; )
You made memories...and brought some back. You really are kind of magical with those words.
Susan,
I had forgotten about statue. My cousin and I used to play that on steamy hot summer nights. I loved/love dolls too. I have one thatis about 75 years old.
Beth,
Kids don't know how to make their own fun and games anymore. Do you remember Red Rover?
Tammy,
I have a knack for entertaining children. I'm sort of like the Pied Piper of kids. Someone on the cruise at our table said, "I can not imagine being in charge of Kids Club on this boat, can you?" I said, "Certainly I can. I used to run a summer day camp for 20 years. And I've been doing "Kids Clubs" for 33 years." Simple fun is where it's at.
This was great, Linda! I, too, played the dot-to-dot game, but had totally forgotten about that one! I played all the outdoor games you mentioned, plus a few more! Did you ever play Indian Ball? We played it until the street lights came on...that meant game over and time to go inside! Thanks for the memories! ♫♪
Becky,
Yes we played Indian Ball and Step Ball, did you ever pleay that one? And what about rock school?
Hmmm, don't remember a "rock school". Was Step Ball the one where you bounce a ball up against a wall and do different things, as you count?
Becky,
You had a rock in your hand behind your back, then you put your crossed hands out front and the students seated on steps, chose a hand. If the rock was hidden in it, they moved up a grade. Step ball was where you bounce the ball off the edge of the step and catch it for points, also called ledge ball.
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