This year my boys have begun their formal education. They are in an all day kindergarten. They were ready for the challenge, but it is challenging. Six and a half hours of being present and accountable to other people's schedule. There is not much unstructured playtime. So I am even more thankful for these beautiful, long days.
Each day after school our walk home is the beginning of unwinding. By the time we reach the yard the need to roll on our hill, climb a tree or dig a stick in the dirt is all that matters to my young scholars. We don't even enter the house- I just see them cut loose and play.
As many people these days observe there are not many nearby neighbors to play with. Many kids play organized sports or head off to lessons-- riding in cars leaving the neighborhood. But, we settle into our own place. The boys have a snack. Then we play our version of soccer or baseball in the backyard...but it is when they are ready to depart from this more structured play that I know the good stuff has begun.
Tonight one of my boys re-discovered the playhouse "kitchen." First he was just using sand and mixing and making me tacos. Soon his brother joined and added in new ideas. "Lets get herbs from the garden to add to the soup." Then off he went, brother following. Each boy picking, smelling and occasionally tasting the herbs. Next came the addition of water. The simmering soup.... then the mud chocolate bars. DELICIOUS!
Finally the boys found the allium stalks. At this time of the year they are beautiful dried wands with exploding dried flower seed pods that are the size a basketball. They become fireworks- as the boys pull the heads off. Then they wave the stalks. Break them and investigate. Twenty minutes later they are still playing with the same plant. The sun is going down. They have experienced the day- fully.
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