All it Takes is a Little Imagination

My daughters reminded me that I fit into the category of a mommy that loved when her kids used their imaginations. I applauded their creativity. I applauded when they wanted to go outside and play or play inside with toys and not watch tv or play video games.

I wasn't the kind of mommy that didn't want them to get dirty. In fact, they had play clothes for that very reason. Being that our yard was a 1/2 an acre, there was plenty of dirt to stick to them.

One day, they dug a hole and filled it up with water. Not knowing what they intended to do, I watched as they literally splashed around in it like little pigs. To them, the elation on their face let me know that they could care less what anyone else thought...it was FUN!

Another time, as they "cooked" with their sticks and dandelion flowers, I gave them each an egg to complete their "recipe". The joy on their faces that I was willing to give them each an egg to "waste" I mean, crack was just priceless.

When they were 6 and 7, they went through an "ice skating" stage. Although we didn't own an ice rink, they put on their slippery socks, turned on the Nutcracker Suite and slid and twirled around for hours. Finally, when they felt that they had perfected their routine, they did an actual performance for me and their dad.

Another time, when the youngest was learning how to vault in gymnastics, she took on the role of showing her sister how to vault as well. But that meant, the sofa was the vault and she would start by the front door and with a running leap, vault over the couch, onto cushions.

Other times, being that I homeschooled them for almost 12 years, we would go thing finding. We would take long walks while they each carried a small bag to collect some things that they found interesting. I remember one of them found a broken hot wheel. Their assignment was to write about who the hot wheel possibly belonged to and how it got where it was found.

I cherish those memories. More than anything, I'm blessed that they used their imaginations to really enjoy being kids.