Sunday, December 5, 2010

Play Hard



This weekend, my husband was gone, mountain biking in Albuquerque. I wasn’t looking forward to doing it all “alone” this weekend, as I was feeling a little depleted.

I knew I would need to keep my son and me busy. I had all sorts of things in mind. We could go to Target! (The Go-To Activity when it is cold outside.) We needed to go to the grocery store. I could ask my friend if she wanted to do a play date. We could go to the movies and see Megamind. There was a list of places I had in mind to pass the time.

Well, as EVERY parent knows, the best laid plans…

You never REALLY get to choose what it is you would like to do, right? Right.

Yesterday, Parker, uncharacteristically, did not want to go anywhere. Every time I mentioned anything, “We could go to the movies! We can eat popcorn and get candy!” I shouted, thinking for sure this would work.

“NO! Stay home! Stay home and play!” Parker would shout.

Ok, I thought. Whatever, we’ll stay home and play.

I decided to totally participate because I think there is nothing worse than sitting around for HOURS while your child plays, and you are bored out of your mind.

Boy, did we play. Wow. WE PLAYED ALL DAY! I did not try to tell him, “No, Mommy needs a rest.” I did not tell him, “You play by yourself,” or, “Let’s put a movie on.” I just kind of went with it.

We painted, we played in the sink, we played the Wii, we pretended to be Lion King and Scar and wrestled around growling on the floor, we played cars, we played robots, we played catch (in the house!), we threw a stuffed chicken up and down at each other across stairwells, we made cookies, on and on and on.

Is anyone tired yet? Can you imagine how I felt? It was a lot of playing. It really was great, but man, when bedtime came last night, did I feel like I had EARNED some ME time? Oh, yeah. I stayed up until midnight, watching TV and reading, simultaneously worrying that I would be so tired in the morning when the maniac woke at 7:00 am, ready for more.

Today? We went to Target and the grocery store. The maniac is napping now. When he wakes up? I think we’ll watch a movie.

21 comments:

Mommyfriend Lori said...

Good Mommy! Is it sad to admit I have never spent the whole day playing? You are a rock star!

Oddyoddyo13 said...

Haha, I love how you have all these things planned that you want to do and he decides to do the EXACT OPPOSITE. Parker is a GENIUS. :)

Babes Mami said...

You really earned that! The past few days here have really dragged on and on, I feel like we've been playing forever and it's been 10 minutes! But it work him out and he was in bed at 6:30. Mini terrorist I call him!

Corinne (aka Rinny of Arabia) said...

Definitely earned that 'me' time! Well done!!

JD said...

Great post! Good for you, spending the whole day playing. I'm not sure I've ever done that. At least since I was a babysitter of other people's kids. Somehow it was easier then. I'm guessing it's because I was like 20 years younger. Ugh.

I read your blog a lot and just passed the Versatile Blogger Award to you. After I did that I checked and of course you've already received it. Sorry about that. But really, it's all your fault for having a cool blog. ;-) Here's my post about the award: http://bit.ly/edKBTj

Helena said...

I just found you through Momagement Matters, and this post is fantastic. I hope you got to see your movie :)

AMY said...

Your such a GREAT Mommy!

Tenille said...

I don't do this often enough, but it's lots of fun when I forget about the ironing or vacuuming or blogging and hang out with Lil. Sounds like a great weekend.

Jen said...

What a perfect way to spend the day. :)

Rathi said...

Haha... I loved this post Kristy. I would so love to come there and play with you guys. I suppose the best way to spend a day is to play. play and more play. i need to cajole my sister into playing today. fingers crossed.

Amy Sullivan said...

Ahhh, play can be so tiring, but they love it, don't they? Good job being such a fun "single mom" while your husband is gone!

Liz Mays said...

One day like that definitely needs to be followed with something a lot lighter. Good call on that!

chele said...

You are the best mom EVER! Seriously, I wouldn't have been able to keep up.

Stacey said...

Wow, I would love to have the energy to play all day. You're an awesome mommy!

And thanks for reading my weird, meandering blog :)

Unknown said...

It feels so good to give them your utmost undivided attention but it isn't easy. Kuddos to you for being an excellent Mama.

AiringMyLaundry said...

Wow, you were busy.

I would have had to tell my kids to give me space. I'm not going with having someone around me all the time. I think it's the only child in me.

Denise said...

What great times to Cherish! I remember those with Colt. Where did 26 years go! He will always remember his great mommy and you will remember those times also..
Blessings,
Denise

Tina said...

haha you have more energy than mine. mine would wear me out in half an hour! Glad you had fun!

Tina from
Mummy Diaries

Amy said...

That sounds like a perfect day. Exhausting, but wonderful none the less;)

Anonymous said...

Gosh! I should totally do this! I never get to and that is sad. Heck, I WILL do this. Great post!

Candace said...

I miss the days of marathon play time...but geez....they wore me out!

Hope you have a great weekend,
Candace