Play 101

While I'm away in Vegas watching the showgirls in G strings, please enjoy this guest post by the adorable Heather. 

Howdy y'all, I'm Heather and I blog over at OMSH. I was blessed to meet, and spend time with, Carmen at Blogher '07 and am honored she's allowing me to fill in for her while she's on vacation a short blogging hiatus. I was having a difficult time figuring out what I wanted to blog about over in this neck of the woods. I had no idea what you guys (and gals) were used to reading. Did I need to delve into some deep spiritual discussions? Was Carmen controversial? Did I have to talk about weight loss or the martial arts? What if she was more topical? Eeek! WHAT IF I HAD TO TALK ABOUT THE CURRENT PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES!?! I was about to email Carmen and fake carpal tunnel, the death of a dear pet, or if that didn't work, my own death (I'd have Mr. OMSH do that for me.), but then I started probing through her posts and felt a kindred spirit. Both of us have written about our girlie bits, both of us have posted un-photoshop-adulterated photos, both of us will likely win the best mothering award if the idiots would start paying ATTENTION. *ahem* All in all, I feel at home here, so I've kicked off my shoes (forgive the foul odor) and get busy talking to you about something very important. Something SO important that we grown-ups…we miss it. That "something" is called PLAY. I'm not talking about the "play" you push on the VCR, DVD, TV, STEREO or iPOD. I'm talking about the act of playing. When was the last time you played? Why aren't you playing? You are? Good. Go away, this post isn't for you. This past weekend we threw a Princess Party for one of my daughters. I had a good deal of help in monitoring all the party's needs, and so, I was able to follow kids around with my camera; which of course, is exactly what I wanted to do. What I saw was the delight of play. The sheer delight of PLAYING. Do you remember the joy of dress-up? Of running barefooted with only 60 lbs. coming down on your feet, knees, legs? Do you remember giggling until you couldn't breathe, the excitement of surprises, or closing your eyes and counting to 25 for a game of hide-and-seek? Do you remember when clowning around could be both literal and figurative at the same time? Remember when it was totally acceptable, if not absolutely necessary, to goof off in front of/with your friends? I have heard more than once that it is a child's job to play. And then what? You grow up and your job is to…scowl? Sit? Fight? Criticize? Sleep? Work more? If you do nothing else this week, find one opportunity to play. If you've forgotten how, find the nearest child and follow them. They know the way.

Comments

[Headless Mom]

Awesome!

[mimbles]

I played Dungeons and Dragons for the first time in years at my son's 11th birthday party on the weekend. So much fun :)

[FishyGirl]

Awesome pictures!

Every so often, typically once every couple of weeks or so, when the kids go up to get ready for bed, one of us will hide in a closet or something, and when the kids find us, we just out and scare them. They all run away squealing, and then we have a huge giggle/tickle/wrestle/hide fest. It's wonderful.

[beth]

i LOVE the photos from the birthday party! If I could I would run out and buy the blue one right now and run through the back yard, it looks so fun!

So, I am scheduling "play" for sunday on the family calander, wish me luck :)