My children do have certain planned activities, like school, tennis practice, and chores, but it's important to me that they have plenty of unplanned time as well. It's bothersome that so many kids today have every moment organized for them. When do they get to create and imagine, to read for pleasure, or run around in the yard? When do they experience boredom, and learn to overcome it? We do what we do now so that our kids can be productive adults later, so that they'll be prepared for marriage, children, or a career. We sow seeds, water them, pull weeds, have the sun and rain fall on them, let them grow...and the product is worth the time and sacrifice.
You are an expert on your own children simply because God gave them to you. He specifically chose you to be your child's parent...isn't that a wonderful privilege? Yet my heart breaks for many who can't see that they don't have to jump through hoops to give kids an "epic experience" at every turn. In fact, the little things are the BIG things! I enjoy talking to other parents about this, and encouraging others to go for it, and believe it. I don't claim to do anything extraordinary; the supernatural occurrences in any Christian's day are due to the Holy Spirit, Who is our Guide because of a relationship with Christ.
Here and there, I snap shots of daily fun things my girls do, our own "epic experiences" that are little things. Are trips to the trampoline park or the movies and even Disney World wrong? No...but you can't do that all day, every day. Here is some larger-than-life fun we've had lately:
This recipe was from a kids' cookbook that came with silicone cups for creating tasty dishes. It had been put away for several years; last week, the girls took it out, read the instructions, and did every bit themselves. When I attempted to open the oven door, I heard, "Mo-om!!! We want to do it ourselves!" You can see they didn't need my help. How proud they were of their effort, and how scrumptious these little cakes were!
Looking for a cheap and easy pet?
Look closely...those are crickets in there! Again, this was not my idea. I was presented with a request to take the kids to the pet store, where they took their own money and each purchased two crickets. That orange cube in the jars is actually cricket food, which they bought by splitting the cost. I was the means by which they entered the store, but other than that, they didn't need me...both completed their own transactions, money-counting and all, while I acted as bystander. I did poke holes in the jar lid while the girls found grass and dirt for their cricket homes. After realizing that we were getting the crickets to keep and not to feed a reptile, the saleslady recommended pieces of egg carton, on which crickets like to climb. Who knew?
The girls determined that they each had one male and female because their hind ends looked different, and they used this method to discern who was who: one set was known as Bacon and Crosby, the other, Cathy and Chris. Sadly, Bacon met her demise after only a few days, but Crosby is still going strong after almost two weeks. Her owner buried her in a mound of dirt beside the house, marking her grave with a stone. A funny thing happened to Cathy: she went missing one morning (we couldn't see her in the jar), and I actually found her in the bathroom! How she squeezed out of the air holes remains a mystery. She, too, passed away yesterday, but Chris lives on. Children don't form such an attachment as to make a cricket death traumatic, and they're only twelve cents to replace, too...easy, fun "pets" if you're looking for a low-maintenance animal (er, insect).
Speaking of animals...
Yes, every experience with our Nibbles is indeed "epic." I highly recommend a guinea pig. I'm amazed that God saw fit to put such personality into a rodent! Who doesn't want to kiss that sweet little face off?
The other night, the girls were busy doing something in their playroom. When one rushed down for a quick moment and I asked what they were up to, the answer was, "We're doing a Christmas pageant!" and that kid scurried back up to keep on with this absorbing project. I had no idea what this "pageant" entailed, until I was summoned excitedly to "Come see our pageant!" This was what they had created:
I listened, all smiles, as they described everyone's role. The three folks to the left (with their backs to us) are the Wise Men; their gifts are in front of them. Baby Jesus is in the middle, wrapped in blue swaddling, cuddled in a Barbie dresser drawer. Joseph proudly stands to the left, broom in hand, and Mary is on the right. The group of pigs and cats in the background, behind Joseph, is the choir of angels. Three shepherds joyfully stand to the right, "staffs" in hand, with their "sheep" in front (here, a bunny, kitty, and hedgehog). Finally, the Angel of the Lord sits on top of the "manger," notice the wings and white "robe."
What a priceless delight this was! I love that my girls used their imaginations to create such a precious scene with the Calico Critters they enjoy so much. I believe the Lord delighted in it, too. He delights in our using the interests and talents He gives us; it gives Him glory. Childlike faith is beautiful to Him at any age.
Finally, here are pages from two books we read today:
I am fascinated by stories or pictures of old-time doctors and medicines. This spread is from James Herriot's Treasury For Children, (1992) "The Market Square Dog." I highly recommend this beautiful collection of stories written by the former veterinarian about his own experiences.
This page sums up the true meaning of Valentine's Day, about which we read today:
The Story of St. Valentine, More Than Cards and Candied Hearts, published by The Voice of the Martyrs and written by Cheryl Odden, was a gift from my mom. It tells the story of Valentinus, a Christ-follower during the oppressive reign of the Roman emperor Claudius, who banned marriage after few men agreed to sign up to defend his rule. He believed that people chose to marry and have families over fighting in his army. Valentinus believed that marriage was created and ordained by God, and therefore it wasn't up to Claudius to stop it. After being caught performing marriages in secret, Valentinus was arrested and jailed. He used his sentence to tell the guards and even Claudius about Christ dying for their sins, but was executed on February 14 in the year 269. Valentinus glorified Christ with his life and death; remembering and honoring him is what this holiday is about. He was a man who dedicated himself to the Lord.
Be encouraged in your own "epic experiences" that don't have to cost much, and that create lifetime memories. My hat is off to anyone who celebrates the day-to-day fun of life! Our kids won't remember much about flashy experiences and all that money you spent on Pinterest birthdays, but they are guaranteed to treasure laughter, running in the yard, dirty fingernails, praying out loud, hours of playing, book characters, and all the other priceless memories they can have during childhood. You have a cheerleader in me, and I'd love to hear about your own "epic experiences."
Until next time!
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