Playing

Our house on Fort Hood was in a cul-de-sac, which was nice because there was very little traffic and the kids could play outside.  They would ride their Big Wheels in the street and driveways.  We also fenced in the backyard, and they could play there.  They loved dressing up in floppy hats and Bill’s old shirts and running around the house.  Sometimes they even wore towels over their heads!  There was room for a small table in the kitchen, but we put a little kid-size table there instead.  The kids would color, do crafts, and have their snacks at that tiny table.

When Lee first sat up on his own and played with toys, Amy would grab a toy out of his hands if she wanted it.  It didn’t bother him a bit.  He just found another toy to play with.  I still remember the day that she grabbed a toy from him, and he didn’t like it.  He still wanted to play with it.  The tug of war began and continued for several years after that.

Lee always liked to play by himself.  Sometimes I would check on him because he was so quiet.  I thought he was probably into something he shouldn’t be.  I’d quietly go to his bedroom door, and there he would be playing with his soldiers or other toys.  We could never punish him by sending him to his room.  He liked it too much.

Amy and Lee were never mean to each other.  (Actually, they could have been when I wasn't looking, but I don't think they were.)

Amy was what I’d call a little mother.  She always cared for the kids younger than her, and sometimes bossed them around.  Even now she likes to boss people around, but she is a lot more tactful than when she was in grade school.  When there is a project to do, she’ll jump right in there.  She doesn’t do anything half-hearted; she grabs hold of it and gives it all she has.  The project can be at work, at our granddaughters’ school, or even for social events--it doesn’t matter.  On some occasions, she has been known to boss her own mother around!

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Command those who are rich in this present age
not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches
but in the living God, who gives us richly all things
to enjoy.  1 Timothy 6:17