She ran inside to change, for what seemed like the 100th time, only this time she was wearing her winter Ariel pajamas, pillow and blankets in hand. I thought she was heading downstairs to watch a movie, or play house with Emily and Audrey. Then I remembered, Emily and Audrey are outside, I look down, and sure enough Sarah is headed out the front door. I not-so-nicely told her she was not going outside in her pajamas, and to put her pillow and blankets back on her bed.

Then the tears started. I was in the kitchen getting dinner started, and to be honest all I heard was blah, blah, blah, and I lost my patience with her. After talking to her not-so-nicely again, she looked at me and said, Mommy, I just want to play.  I gave in, said fine, whatever, not because I wanted to, but because frankly, I didn’t want to deal with it, and didn’t have time to argue over the reason she felt like it was a good idea to take her bedding outside.

Later on I peeked out the window to check on the girls, and right there smack dab in the middle of our driveway Sarah is stretched out on her blankets having a rest.

Today it is rainy & dreary outside. The girls come upstairs, lots of giggles, lots of excitement,  run in Sarah’s room, get her dressed and start outside, to which I immediately said, you’re not going outside. Audrey said almost the exact same thing Sarah said to me yesterday, we just want to play.  

I wanted to say no, really I did. In my mind I tried to come up with an excuse of why they couldn’t go outside and play. And then it hit me, my reasons for saying no, sometimes are rather selfish ones, ahem, it might cause a little extra work on my part. [If you are a mom, you know what I mean, if you do not yet have children, you will understand one day.]

They just want to play. Use their imaginations. And I complain about that? Yeah, so I might have to shake out a blanket or two, or my living room that was clean 10 minutes ago, has suddenly become the home of of the biggest & best fort of all time, or overtaken by those little pets that always seem to get up under my feet. Or I might have a few more dishes to stick in the dishwasher because the hosts of the new cooking show got so excited over watching their latest episode they forgot to clean up their mess.

They are kids. Why do I tend to forget that? And instead of encouraging them in play, I discourage them by my constant complaining, or fussing that I just cleaned this or that.

I should be joyful, happy, & thrilled that my soon to be 12 year old & my 10 year old daughters find those things, that may seem childish to their peers, fun & exciting. Thankful that my girls still get excited about running around outside, riding bikes, playing house, school & dress-up.

So, right now, they are outside, riding bikes, laughing and playing. And I’m pumping myself up to have a  grateful attitude when they come inside and leave wet shoes & socks by the door, and wet clothes on their bedroom floor.

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