Day 12: Breathe, Seek, Play and Play some more

The boys have worked so hard on their school project...today with the weather being so nice we had a play date at our house.  They had two of their friends over and they played in the backyard, had fun on the swing set, played soccer and basketball.  They were having a blast.  It was great to see them having fun and bonding with their friends.  It was fun hanging out with the "moms" and having our "play" time too.  We enjoyed a wonderful dinner, and the boys actually shared how much they had memorized their speeches from their School Wax Museum of Famous Americans.  I was amazed that they nailed them...without any notes or reminders.  In just one day, of repeating their speeches they had remembered every single line!  Tonight we played Trouble.  Usually Elliott wins, every single game...even when he is far behind he seems to have the luck to win every time!  Tonight Cooper prevailed even though there were times when it was anyone's game.  They actually play with great thought, they choose another option rather than taking someone out.   If they have another move to make, they will make it and they will apologize if they have no other choice but to send you back home.  Thinking of today, how they played their "famous person" at the wax museum, then having a play date of fun, ending in a family fun night with a board game...I think it is important we take time out of our days to play, to really play.  Even if it is just for 30 minutes, whether it is with our children or finding something that we enjoy that taps into our inner child.  How important it is that we play.  And, like the speech that the boys played over and over again today at their Wax Museum, it becomes ingrained...memorized..and a part of us.  All we have to do is make the time.  Ralph Waldo Emerson once said "It is a happy talent to know how to play."  I think he is right, when is the last time you played, really played? Joined in on a game with a childlike heart....how did it make you feel inside?  Remember that feeling?  Isn't it worth repeating over and and over again until it is not just a "family fun night" but it is every night...that we take time, we make time to play.  So what if there is a mess?  Who cares if you win or lose?  The memories are in the making...enjoy every moment because there are no rewinds, only flashbacks....what do you want your flashbacks to be? Ours will have lots of PLAY in them!