some Unplugged Play today

"When we allow our children space for their imaginations to flourish, they do." -D. Holzman

Here is Maxx after school at the park.  It was a little misty, the park all to himself...and Maxx wanted me to check and see if I had anything that could dry off the slides...in the Momma bag...
I had a cloth grocery bag...Maxx-"THAT'S PERFECT, MOM!!!"
So here is his grocery bag play.

Maxx driving a fast race car




The bunny


Mailman on his route

Baby in the "baby swing" 

Giving baby an "UNDER DOG!"

Potato sack race

 


At the end of our play at the park...a landscaper showed up with a lawn mower...the grass was like white and yellow polka dots on green...before the lawn was manicured...Maxx saved these flowers and made me a boutique...


What fun...so beautiful!!!

Cool article on open ended play... (sorry for all the marketing that surrounds this one)
One on TV Free

Dreamy Spring Day

We had an action packed fun in the sun day...it could have not turned out more perfect if I had planned it.

Maxx picked Alberta Park to be "where it's at" today.  We sent a spontaneous invite to "Vitamin L & G" to join us for a picnic.  It was so nice.  We watched some hula hooping, not so tight, tight rope walkers, and other fun things through out the park as we soaked in the vitamin D and ate our lunch.

We threw the ball for "Vitamin S" for a bit, then it was time for them to head home.

We were off to play in the park and you know Maxx never meets a stranger... to meet another 5 year old (he's not 5 and a half yet, Mom)...who had watched Maxx hop across these pods like a frog on lily pads...and fast. Our new friend was a little afraid to try...so Maxx just started helping and holding and then, praising his new friend on a job well done.  "See there you did it! Great job!" *gush*


I was so proud...at how much Maxx's heart is open and how he jumped in with out any guidance to help his fellow in play.

Our new friend had cars!!!  I can only imagine what they are saying in this picture...then



Who is to have which car and which one will win... to the SLIDE!!!

Orange, Blue, then green came in last place.
After alot of races on all the slides and taking turns so well with the fastest car... our friend had to go.  It was one of those awesome play moments and I wish I had gotten the mother's number or email...I need to get calling cards.  I would love to meet them again to play. Who knows maybe we will.

Then a bit of patience was practiced...we did "the dance" right as we were next...just in time!

Within a minute Maxx had made friends with two others and..

We were chasing BUBBLES!!!

Playing Hide and Go Seek...tag, chase...

I actually heard..."Mom, I'm ready to go home now."

Then home we went for some one on one time, making bread for the week.

What a dreamy spring day!!!

Meeting Family

Marcus, Faith, & Maxx, meet for the first time. It was so good to see a cousin I haven't seen in years! What joy to watch the fun. Crazy how the orange shirts were not planned.





Like we have know each other...we play.


We splash in the heat.




Needless to say it was a fun filled day with school and a play hard time at the park with new family.


Maxx was out like a light after bath.
Here's to Davie and the computer...to make it all happen.

Quick Holiday Post

Happy Memorial Day!
Happy Boy!
Happy pictures of pure fun in the sun!

Sliding on the First day of Spring... Belated

It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so! ~Mark Twain

Yes, this seems to be how my life is going...everything is belated.

No matter how organized I feel I am ... there are never enough hours in the day...I have thank you cards half written, some even written & sealed...just missing part of an address. I have saved stuff and purchased stuff for craft projects...waiting on that great idea to become reality. My to do list is huge and getting bigger by the minute. I think I need a secretary. Hey, but it is Spring...

Fresh, clean, blank, new...one more time.

Maxx and I spent part of the first day of Spring last week outside. We had a great hour to have a picnic and get some playtime in at he "AWESOME Slide Park!" before we had to get in the car and dash to work and the babysitters. The park has 7 chutes of pure fun!!!

Phone Home! Phone Home!

One thing I really love about Chicago is the amazing park district.
They put on activities all over the city, all day every day... somewhere. Last night we took advantage of movies @ the park. ...so, we popped some corn, put some drinks on ice, grabbed the picnic blanket, soaked our selves in swy flotter, and we went to the park to watch E.T.
Found out that Kurt only sprayed his exposed skin...those blood suckers found that tasty skin under his shirt. Itchy!!!



Maxx loves glow sticks, so the other day I got some glow necklaces and thought this would be a great event to bring them.

I was thrilled my friend Debbie joined us and Maxx gave her a glow necklace... then sat in her lap and talked her ear off. He asked her how babies are made (Whoa!), does she have any kids and why, if she has a baby in her belly, how come E.T. can't breath the air on Earth, what is that smoke (in the movie) to talking about her bike, and helmet. The little charmer...conned her out of her entire package of cookies. Debbie you are a good sport, Maxx loves you. Thank you for joining us.

The crowd clapped at all the right spots.

There is the star! I heart E.T.



Ell-iii-ot!! Oh I had a crush on Henry Thomas when I was a youngster!!! Dreamy Elliot! My Earthling hero!!!!

Out of this world fun!

Days Off Are the Best!!!

After a 9 day stretch, today was my first day off. It was the best!!!
Maxx and I slept in 'till 9am. Then we played hide and seek with his stuffed cat "Kitty". I cut a cantaloupe for breakfast and he wanted PB&J with that.

Kurt took us to this awesome park that they discovered a week ago and have been going to. It really was great. Independence Park is where we ended up. The playground was fun and the mix of kids was soo perfect. There is a large garden to run and roam with shade and sunshie...but the best part was the spraying water. We were at the park for three hours before we even looked at our watch. While Maxx made friends and got soaking wet, I sat on the sideline watching and drawing with sidewalk chalk...soaking in the freedom of not working and the sunshine. In the middle of play we heard the chiming bells of the icecream cart, and Maxx took off with Daddie running after. They both came back with some sweet-cold ice cream. Just a perfect park day.

We came home for lunch and had quite time...nap time got skipped today. I told some of Grimm's fairy tales to Maxx, and then we listened to Jack and the Bean Stalk(his favorite story right now).


Kurt made some turkey chili and the perfect batch of cornbread. Dee-lish!!

While I was relaxing on the couch Maxx got really quiet.
"I just wanted a whittle taste!" He told me as he was licking his fingers... after he had dipped them in the yummy cheesecake. (One of my customers sent me this the other day.) Maxx!...we are going to get frozen custard in a few, at Scooters. "It was only a whittle whick, Mahhm." He is so independant and rescourceful. I love his spirit!

I am off tomorrow too.
Days off are the best!