Caution: Children at Play

It has been rainy in New England for what seems like forever.  Not to worry, the sun is shining bright today!  The last few days have been filled with lots of creative indoor play.  I am so fascinated by children at play.  I have such an age range in my home between my two and the others I care for.  While they frequently all play together, when they are alone, their age differences become very apparent.

Cameron at play:

Yesterday, Cameron and I had the opportunity for one-on-one play in the afternoon.  "Play with me Mommy."  There is nothing else I would have rather done at that moment.  Soak it up, relish it, enjoy it, cherish it, because before long he will be dropping his school bag on the floor and running out the door to play with his school friends.

Man, this kid is so handsome!  Even with

his road rash.  Cam bit the dust on his

bike, but he got right back on!

When Cameron plays it usually involves building something.

Our house is filled with wooden blocks, wooden trains, wooden

people, and Tinker Toys.  Imagination fuel!

Yesterday Cameron built a train track surrounding a city.

When he builds, he does not like for me to see the process, only 

the end result.  He likes to reveal his masterpieces!  Ta da!

Close up view, just because.

Next he asked me to build a slide for the trains.  His idea, and 

a brilliant one!  We used blocks and hill train tracks and voila!

When we were finished Cameron asked if he could

go on the computer.  For a long time I was resistant

to the computer, along with all other electronic media,

for the kids.  But he learned how to use the computer at

pre-school and it IS an important skill.  We limit the 

time to 10 minutes per day (only if he asks) and only

PBSkids.

Inspired by one of the games, Cameron asked if we

could make brownies.  So we did!  From scratch, of course!

Little Cameron at play:

This kid is a riot.  At 1 he is very into getting into things.  I mean that in the literal sense.  He loves to climb into things.  He also loves to walk around the house pulling things off of shelves and putting them on the floor.  Rearranging, as I have learned to call it.

Today he discovered that his favorite cabinet

for pulling things out of, is also great for

getting into!

Little Cameron interacts with the bigger kids,

especially Big Cameron.  They have a bond, 

and it is great!  But he plays so differently

that a lot of the time he is off exploring, tormenting

the dogs, or following me around to "show" me 

one thing or another.  This age is fascinating, for him

and for me!

Olivia at Play:

Darling, darling Olivia.  At almost three she is quite the little Ms. Independent.  She can play for a solid hour without needing any interaction from anyone else.  All of the toys have voices; cars, trains, dolls, the chalkboard.  You name it, they all talk.  She is really into sorting and organizing.  Her play involves having the animals talk to each other, but when they are done she will put them all into something.  Usually not the something that they belong in.  She is so busy that I can never seem to get a photo of her, just the aftermath.  

For example, while cleaning the toy room

this morning, I discovered that the wooden 

robot basket only contained one robot.  Hmmm, 

where couldshe have put those?  Ah, yes!  Lined up on 

the art easel.  That's where I would have put them!

Ah, children at play.  Fills my days, intrigues me and makes me happy!