Nothing To Do But Play

Dear Caden and Addison,

One day you will get busy.  You'll have things to do and places to go.  And you won't remember what it's like to have a day where the only "to-do" is "play".  Yesterday and today, it has been my joy to watch you play.  Just play.  All day.  Among other things, you have climbed in drawers, pretended to fall asleep on the kitchen floor and browsed holiday catalogs with great interest.  You've climbed.  On everything.  And played hide and seek with glee.  You have played outside.  Read books.  Admired the falling leaves while having your snack.  And have unloaded the pantry and bookshelves more than a few times, in the process discovering you can now reach up one shelf higher than last week...  You've built towers, crashed towers, made some art and stacked cups.  You've had to take turns and a few times you've even shared without my help.  You've danced, laughed and squealed.  And I have loved it all.

You make me remember what a good and perfect gift it is to be your Mama.  I am so thankful that while I don't have a title, a paycheck, or an office, I have a very special job.  One that I love.  My work is your play.  Prepping for it.  Cleaning up after it.  Refereeing it and policing it.  Making sure you learn from it.  And giving you lots of ways to engage in it.  But the funny thing is, you are master players already.  I can give it my all and usually do ok, but I do best when I take my cues from you.

You can find a box, a flashlight, or the underside of the kitchen table and be busy for a whole half hour. You remind me that the wind is a very interesting thing indeed.
You show me that it's fun to wear two shirts and no pants.
You teach me, every day, that it is a very special gift to play.
Because I am playing with you.

I love you sweetest babes.

Mama