I just love having the kids home due to a school holiday. Having the whole day free to spend with them. I love the hours upon hours together. There is something fabulous about having quantity--not just quality time-- together.
We excitedly planned our time together a few days in advance. (Anticipation is half the fun!) The kids wanted to start the day off pretending to feel sick and, therefore, needing to stay in their pajamas and eat a special breakfast (cinnamon rolls and icy apple juice) in Mommy's bed while watching a Max & Ruby DVD. They also needed popsicles for pretend sore throats. After that they wanted to play puppies and make a craft. Next, they wanted to go to Mimi's Cafe for lunch (we went once awhile ago and Alexander has very fond memories of their hot chocolate). The children managed to charm at least 8 people in the lobby during our 20 minute wait for a table. The way they talked, shared a chair and treated each other brought lots of "how cute!" and compliments while we waited. My favorite memory of lunch, though, was in the bathroom when Avery pulled her skirt and underpants down around her ankles as soon as she opened the door to the bathroom area, then walked half naked to a stall, shut the door on me and announced "I need privacy, please!" Privacy? After walking half naked across a bathroom full of people? I just loved that.
After that, we went back home for more play. This time they wanted to play Noah's Ark and turn the playroom into an ark. We built a little fort in the middle of the room for the people, found a play lantern, gathered snacks and a thermos of water and carried as many stuffed animals as we could find. We had fun turning the lights on and off for day and night and eating snacks in the fort. Later, we planted tulips in planters outside. And, finally, while I made dinner and cleaned up the kitchen, the kids played Clifford Games on the computer. Since Eric was not expected home until late that night, we then ate dinner, took baths, brushed teeth, put on PJs and read books in Avery's room. Alexander then watched a movie in his room while I snuggled Avery to sleep.
Once Avery was asleep, I went to Alexander's room and snuggled him up and talked a bit with him. I just love our night time conversations. Tonight, he wanted to play our "feelings game" where we take turns asking each other, "what was your most X moment?" Alexander's likes to ask me about what was my most disgusting, stinky, exciting, silly, challengiest, bravest moments that day. I usually go for variety or for things I know he felt that day. I am enjoying these talks so much. I hope we can do this for years. After I gave Alexander a few more snuggles, I went to bed, computer in hand to wait up for Eric.
While waiting, Alexander had a nightmare. While giving him snuggles and rubbing his back, he explained he "was in outer space and touched all the planets, except Uranus which was too hot, and then went to Mars where there was a dinosaur that tried to eat him." He seemed comforted when I reminded him that God made sure that all the dinosaurs were gone before He made people, but really loved it when I told him that dinosaurs are thought to have been very poor thinkers and to have had very small brains about the size of a walnut. So, if we ever saw a dinosaur, we could easily trick him. So, I said that if he has that dream again, he can shout to the dinosaur, "hey! look! a piece of cheese!" and the dinosaur would forget all about him and go look for the cheese. Alexander said he would shout, "hey! look! a T- Rex!" because he figured the dinosaur was a meat eater and would want that more. He seemed very relieved to have a plan in place for a possible encounter.
However, I apparently went too far when I next said that he could also dig a big hole and trick the dinosaur to go into it and then he would not be able to get out of the hole and bother him. Alexander did not like this idea at all. He said that would hurt the dinosaur. I love that he just wanted to not be eaten by the dinosaur, but didn't want to harm him in any way. What a loving, kind heart he has.
So that is how we spend our time together when we have quantity. I can't wait for Thanksgiving break!