Make Time for Play

After I got Zuri nursed down to sleep, I slid (very stealthly... else she'd wake up and search for the boob!) out of bed, got my face washed and teeth brushed, then made up a quick batch of nachos for the boys.  I took them upstairs to where they were playing MW2 and hung out with them for a while, watching and learning about how that whole thing works.  They're very patient with me, and all my questions.  (I am a woman with many, I assure you.  Maybe not always a good thing.  Or maybe it is.)

Stone was playing on-line with someone who I could hear through his headset.  He sounded like a cool kid, and Stone and he were having fun running around showing each other little glitches here and there.  And I was enjoying watching.  WHAT?!?!?  Yep.  I was actually watching with pure, un-distracted interest in what they were doing.  I think it helped that I could hear the conversation, because then it helped me understand what their goals and objectives were.  It was so cool.  Even though I don't understand every. little. detail. about their game, I'm there, watching, participating in whatever way I know how.  They like that.  They want me there.  They explain what they're doing, and what this term and that saying means.  I'm there for them now so they know that I'll be there for them always.  As parents, we can tell our kids that we'll always be there for them or we can simply show them.  Actions always speak louder than words.  

I attended a drum circle this evening.  Another friend of mine attended, too.  She said she only came because her daughter wanted to be there, and that she *herself* would never come to something like that because it would be something too close to what her mother would do.  She and I went on to have a conversation about the role of being the first born child plays (or, how shitty it is to be the first born).  We...er, um, maybe I'll switch to "I" now.... I am always serious.  I always have to make sure everyone else is taken care of.  I can't have too much fun, because who has time for fun, because I have to be the UBER responsible one, making sure everyone gets home safely or doesn't drown in their own vomit.  Play?  Nope, sorry, too busy being responsible.

Eck.

I want to PLAY.  I want to PLAY.  I want to PLAY.

My children remind me to play.  To stop with the responsibilities and just Play, right here, right now, before this Now is gone.   I'll never regret putting down the 'serious stuff' to have some fun and make memories with my kids.  They are, and will remain, my Greatest Teachers.  

Mayflower County Park

After our time in Joshua Tree, we were ready for the water again. As it turns out, on our last night there, we met a beautiful family (from Canada... I told you!!!) that had decided to head toward the river, as well, so we agreed to meet up there. We've been here for two weeks, and have put the beach and river and lagoon to good use. The weather was magnificent, except for the couple of days that were so windy you couldn't be outside because of the dirt, sand and dust flying everywhere. It was great going to bed every night, knowing whatever you left out wouldn't get rained on. Desert living, I guess, but strange not having to pop out of bed in the middle of the night and do a mental run-down of what might be outside when you hear raindrops on the roof.

We experienced out first earthquake while we were here, too. The boys slept right through it, but I woke up thinking someone was outside pushing on our bus. The movement was enough to make the bus groan and creak, but nothing fell off of/out of anything. We went back to sleep thinking maybe the boys were just rolling over in their bed (that was John's explanation, but I really couldn't see how little bodies, even if they both rolled over simultaneously, could cause that degree of movement); and it wasn't until the next morning when John mentioned something to Erin (of our traveling partners for the time) said, "WHAT? *I* woke up thinking someone was outside pushing on *our* trailer!" We did a little research on-line, and sure enough, earthquake.

Saylor and Stone had some bigger kids to play with the whole time, too; Gio (we met him last time we were in this area, a couple weeks back) and Star and JJ (they live here in a house, their dad works for the park system). They were on their bicycles daily and worked on a fort in some jungle like growth that borders the campground.

Our time here was magical in many ways. We spent 2 weeks creating a new relationship with friends, having the most *real* conversations about *real* stuff. We learned so much from each other. The boys enjoyed their children (they've got 3 boys, as well: 5, 4 and 4 months). I ***adored*** their children, and it was sweet cuddling on the baby. Andrew graciously accepted my plea to teach us some new drum rhythms, so we did quite a lot of drumming together.

We're leaving today, heading toward Las Vegas where we'll meet up with Erin, Andrew and boys for a night or two so Andrew can share some of his bouldering knowledge with us. We're also planning a Trader Joe's run and a stop at REI while we're there. Then, it's onward to Hurricane, UT where we'll spend a week at Sand Hollow State Park with my mom, who'll drive from Reno to meet us there on Monday. After that, we're taking the road north to Rapid City for a couple fun-filled weeks with friends before we go east to Minnesota for John's work season. I **reeeeaaalllly!* hope that the weather decides to behave itself while we're making our way north-ward, and while we're actually there. It is spring, after all, so I do hope it decides to act like it!