Being home this summer because of the heat has given me a chance to learn how to get creative in playing with Benjamin. We've come up with a great deal of things. I've really enjoyed this summer and having the chance to get into a real routine with him, and especially the fun of play.
By the way, Ben turned 21 months yesterday. Ouch! Three more months till he's TWO!
Here's Ben playing in the tub of beans. He's our little construction man. While he's playing with the beans and especially when he colors, I see a lot of my dad in him...he's so serious.
Last night, Daniel "couldn't find" us when he came home from work. Ben and I had taken the cushions off the couch, made a fort using the living room furniture and were hiding underneath. I got the reaction out of Ben that I was hoping for. Daniel kept saying, "where's Ben and mommy?" When he stuck his head under the fort and said, "there they are!" Ben squealed with excitement. So much fun!
I've also discovered a good use for all the cereal boxes we have in our pantry. We have probably 12 boxes now from WIC because we just don't eat it that fast. I've started wrapping the empty boxes in contact paper and Ben uses them as blocks.
Finger paints have also become a fun, but messy, pasttime. While looking for bath paints, I found this cool crayon-type bath paint at Children's Orchard. Ben loves it and can hold it really well. As much as he loves to color, it is just perfect for him.
We also play with playdough. That is something new to Ben and mostly he just tears it all apart and drops it on the floor. Oh well, he'll learn. Yesterday, when our Parents As Teachers rep arrived, he was playing with the playdough. He started to stick some in his mouth and I panicked and stopped him. Shannon, a dear sweet lady, said, "Oh, but he's at the pretend-play stage. We can pretend to eat it." She showed him and that's what he did. It made me a nervous wreck each time he stuck the playdough near his lips, but he understood pretending.
We have become regular attenders at the library, though it is across town. Once a week, we attend storytime. Ben LOVES it! His favorite part is the Finger Poppin' song at the very beginning. I'm always sad when we get there late and he has to miss it. Ben is probably the most outgoing kid there. During the action songs, Ben becomes the class clown as he dances around the room doing the actions.
We frequently visit our neighborhood park around dusk for the cooler temperatures. We also try at least once a week to walk over to the nearby elementary school in the evening and let Ben play on the playground. Then Daniel and I walk the track. The walk isn't not all that far, but with the humidity as it is on summer nights, it feels like a much longer route. Usually, we head straight to the bathtub and then one exhausted kid goes to bed.
Daniel and I have gotten into a relaxing bedtime routine that finally does not include vegging in front of the television. We play a few games online and try to beat each other's scores. We play online at WorldWinner.com. There's some great games there. Then Daniel gets the computer for online chess competitions (which he is totally addicted too but won't admit it) and I lay down on the bed and read a magazine or a book.
I can't remember when I last enjoyed just taking it easy and enjoying the fun of summer. I know Mom and Dad have enjoyed the camping experiences again as next weekend will make three outings in two months. If you haven't heard, they recently bought a tent trailer. When Grandpa and Grandma first went to see it, they got the lawn chairs out of their trunk and spent a couple hours just sitting under the awning, just like old times.
Summer... a time for fun, family and relaxtion... truly experienced this summer. Hope you had just as great a summer as our family did.
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