Playtime Is Changing

As the kids have gotten older I've noticed how much their play is changing.  At times it is:

• ACTIVE:  They can run quite well and often practice raising up on their tiptoes, dancing, spinning....  you get the idea.  If they can climb it, move it, dump it or dissect it, they will.  
• INDEPENDENT:  I can almost feel the kids enjoying some time to themselves every day.  Especially if they've had to deal with errands, travel, high energy play, or guests.  And since all of those things happen regularly around here I've started trying to balance that out with regular intervals of quiet twin time in the playroom.  Sometimes they play together, sometimes they don't.  And it is so sweet to sneak peeks of them as they happily play away.
• IMAGINATIVE:  I see the beginnings of playing pretend and role play!!  The kids tried sharing their snack with the Baby Caden and Baby Addison dolls that our friend Merideth brought over the other day.  They have decided that the felt people on our felt board are "Mommy" and "Daddy".  Occasionally I hear them call book characters "Caden" and "Addison".  And often I hear Addison talking about what she is doing when she plays or reads independently. 
• TIRING:  Poor Caden can hardly make it to lunchtime most days.  The other day he actually fell asleep in his chair at the table, poor guy!  All that play is hard work for little people.

But it is always fun with a purpose.  We're growing dendrites underneath those sweet little strawberry blonde bangs.  (We f-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-nally have BANGS!!!)