I've seen a few FB posts recently regarding grandparents and their lack of engaging in playtime with their grandkids. Here are my thoughts on the subject as it pertains to my children:  I won't ever expect you to "play" with my kids. Even if you are their grandparent, their uncle, their aunt, their neighbor. If you found freedom in what you just read, good! Please don't ever feel obligated to plop down on the floor and build cities out of legos with them or make a pretend cake in their kitchen. Don't feel like you must go on a bear hunt in the backyard or that you need to imagine that their jungle gym is a zoo and they are the monkeys and you are the zookeeper. Some adults love to pretend with kids. Most don't. And, that's okay! Feel free to say, "no thank you. But I sure do enjoy watching you!" I don't like to pretend.  The Husband doesn't like to.  We do imagine with them occasionally, but it's usually to get...

Today, I'm thankful for activities that keep Jack entertained.  Yesterday was an overcast and chilly day. We'd had a pretty good morning, and I wanted to keep that good vibe going as long as possible. So, when Jack woke up from his nap and while Ella continued with hers, I grabbed a large, empty, plastic container and tossed in a few items like a funnel, a pitcher, a small beach ball, a measuring cup, etc. Things that could be used when exploring with water.  I filled the bucket a third of the way with warm water since it was cool outside.  Jack wanted to help. A lot.  I lugged that heavy sucker outside and told Jack to have at it.  I talked to him about the warm water and the cool air.  How things floated and sunk.  I told him about pouring water from the containers, how it was okay if water got outside of the container, and then I let him explore.  He did this so happily for over 20 minutes and could h...