When I think of the thousands of dollars represented by all of the oft-ignored toys piled in the kids' rooms, I wonder why we continue to do it when Celia and Mikey are currently playing with a variety of unopened cookie sprinkles who they have named Lela and Clara. They're having all kinds of adventures. Cost of sprinkles? $2.50. Not bad...except that they're replacing the seventy-nine adorable dolls on the shelf. I guess it's better for them to explore this imaginative effort than to make use of the Wizard of Oz collection that I obsessed over for a couple of weeks, eating disgusting Happy Meals to collect, and spending more time that I'd like to admit on eBay. Sigh.
But my very favorite game that these two are currently fond of is a game I simply refer to as "hands." Since there is a no-toys-at-the-table policy, they've resorted to turning their hands into characters who talk and play with each other when the meal is less than exciting to them. There's a Daddy hand who often calls the Celia hand on the phone. I need to pay more attention to what goes on in these ridiculous conversations, but generally, I've moved on to washing dishes or something slightly productive while their meal goes into hour twelve. If we're not in a hurry, I just let them engage in these adorable shenanigans because, come on, how cute and creative is that!
Another frequent mealtime game that they've invented that requires no toys is played in restaurants when awaiting our food's arrival. It's called Mrs. Pepper and Mr. Salt. I think they're a married couple who have insightful conversations with each other like, "Hey Mr. Salt, how are you doing today?" "I'm being good. Mrs. Pepper, do you want ice cream?" It's more clever than playing soccer with a balled up straw wrapper that ends up on the floor after a few attempts on goal, so I'm totally happy to let them have their fun. I'm waiting for them to discover the Splenda packets so the happy couple can have babies.
My point is that I need to settle the heck down with all the toys. They don't NEED them at all! I've heard many a parent remark that their kids are happier with the boxes that the gifts came in on Christmas morning, so why do we keep killing ourselves to get the perfect gifts? My theory is that cameras and scrapbooks are the culprit. I've posed so many pictures, dressed the kids in particular colors, and given them certain gifts with my scrapbook in mind. "Oh won't it be cute if Celia gets a Cabbage Patch Kid for Christmas? It'll be so adorable for that pink paper with the candy canes. Ooh, I'll title it Baby Love. Yes, she'll love it!" Celia tried unsuccessfully a few days ago to give that very doll to her cousin Leah. Leah didn't want it either. When will I ever learn? She'd rather have a toilet paper tube that she can draw a face on. Note to self: Start saving toilet paper rolls for next Christmas.
That poor Cabbage Patch Kid! Will no one give her a home? Leah won't take her out of sheer stinkerness.
ReplyDeleteI think they write books about what you are saying. What you are saying is so true. My kids and every kid I know is the same. One of my very wise friends let her older boys go "shopping" in the play room for gifts for the little sister for Christmas. She was toddler and thought it was all new and was thrilled
ReplyDeleteBest thing I every bought was a $15 swing from IKEA, but it on the fort in the back yard and they spend more time on it then anything else. I could toss out half there stuff and they would NEVER know.