There are things we do in our daily lives that we need to do. Then, there are things we do in our daily lives because our kids need us to do them. Playing, for instance. And although playing is supposed to be fun, when it comes to doing the same thing, day in, day out, again and again and again...it can get, um, well, a little old. And that's really a shame isn't it? Because all our kids want to do is be with us. Spend time with us. PLAY WITH US. I'm not saying it's never fun. I am not saying that. It can be a lot of fun. But, it's our dreaded "to-do lists" that makes it not fun. Because when we're playing with our kids, there is usually something in the back of our minds nagging, "...the dishes, the laundry, the bills, phone calls, dinner..." OK, and for me, blogging. You know the voice.
Lately, when my daughter and I "play animals" (like we do three and four times a day) I have been really trying to get into being in the moment with her. Wanna helpful tip in doing this? Keep your camera close at hand. I have been having a great time bringing to life these little quirky characters we play with. Here's what I mean.
Not only does this make for some good entertainment for myself, it also is serving a higher purpose. Pipe in angelic organ music. I am capturing moments of my everyday life that won't be a part of my everyday life forever. Oh god, get the tissues. My daughter won't always want to sit down and play with me everyday. She'll be busy listening to her ipod, or on the phone, or out with her friends. There won't be the time (or interest) for cute little stuffed friends in Barbie Jeeps or the Barnyard where each animal must line up before they get in or anything remotely as endearing. So, for today, I will remind myself to enjoy this time, even if it means using a little tool like my camera to make it more amusing. My everyday life as I know it now will be gone and then, these pictures won't be a means of entertainment, they'll be a means to remember.
AMEN! They grow up fast. I understand the playing mentality - I work 2 jobs so I feel like there's always something I should be doing and I try to remind myself, they aren't little forever!
Thanks for sharing your very fun pictures!
HUGS!
Posted by: Jen | 10/02/2006 at 01:54 PM
Great pictures. I love the closeup of the Fisher Price horse and the line behind him (her?)
Posted by: Nancy | 10/02/2006 at 02:09 PM
I totally agree. Even when I'm not actually playing with my daughter, she likes me just to be near her while she plays. We have such a great time playing together. Her imagination both amazes and inspires me! I have so many pictures of my kids playing together. They are not award winning photos, or on display anywhere special, but they cover my wall above my computer screen and are treasured every day!
Posted by: Kelly Bera | 10/02/2006 at 03:59 PM
Thanks for the heartfelt reminder. I don't want to lose these moments, yet playing can be "no" fun day in and day out,it's so true, so thanks for the tips and the awesome photos to take me right to where I needed. Amazing what photos do, huh?
Posted by: Deborah | 10/02/2006 at 05:20 PM
How sad... That is so sad... Good idea & Good point! For some reason pictures of stuffed animals always tug at my heart strings. They just look so... I don't know sweet. They remind me of such innocence...
Posted by: Jessica New | 10/02/2006 at 05:24 PM
oh what wonderful memories come
flooding back when i see those dear animals. some stuffed and fuzzy
others made of all kinds of different
plastics. all shapes and sizes big and small you girls loved them all!!
some things never change...
how incredibly comforting to see my dearest grandchildren loving and being loved by their favorite friends each with a special place in their very big hearts. each is very real with names and stories of how they came to live with them and all part of one big happy family...
our children have so much to teach us
let's take the time to learn.
xox auggie and neenie
Posted by: shelley hungerford | 10/02/2006 at 06:13 PM
Oh god, get the frickin' tissues indeed! Beautiful - and the photos - heartclenchingly sweet.
Posted by: Catherine (Her Bad Mother) | 10/03/2006 at 07:34 PM
Just wandered into your blogosphere --
My daughter just turned 15, and she is on the iPod, the IM, going to movies with friends, and just not interested in mom!
Seems she was just starting Kindergarten, now she's a Junior. I used to sit with her and her little plastic Seven Dwarves or her Barbies (complete with jeep, dream house, movie theater, Kelly playground, and so on).
The best days were sitting together as she learned to read and write -- such magic.
I took hundreds of photos (film before the age of digital!) before she turned one. I love those snapshots of life. I am going to dig them out, and sit and look at them with my teenager. For sure.
Posted by: Geri | 10/12/2006 at 06:03 PM
I recently found your blog and I love it! I take a gajillion pictures of my son and I've used a number of your tips recently, to great effect. Thanks!
I have a question: where did you buy those adorable little animals that are standing all in a line? I think my son would love them!
Keep up the good work!
Posted by: Carmen | 10/15/2006 at 11:24 AM
Oh... that is wonderful. I totally needed that reminder tonight. I will try to apply it in the light of day. I think I'm actually going to print this post of yours out and hang it over my computer desk. It's THAT good. Thanks!
Posted by: Alissa | 05/22/2007 at 07:56 PM