I’m always amazed at all the “stuff” my kids and others like them have and yet the novelty of those enjoyments seem to wear off so quickly. My favorite is when my five year old son who has every Rescue Hero I think there is, cars galore, legos, and of course most of the Star Wars collection, claims “he has nothing to play with”.Actually when the newness of the toys wanes is when innovation seems to kick in….plays are created, stories made up, books read, pictures painted, songs sung and of course who can forget the fun to be had with a cardboard box large enough for toddler buns to fit in.
I loved being pulled around the house in a cardboard box by my big brothers. Although the fun always came to a halt when they’d attempt to pull me down our 2 flights of stairs. The box and I never seemed to make it to the bottom of the stairs together nor in one piece and someone always ended up grounded…can you guess who?
I came across these little guys the other day while out in one of the informal settlements.
No Toys R Us or DVD’s to keep these guys occupied. Yet such joy emerged from the innovation of a beat up suitcase tied with string to a plastic scooter.These little guys made me think about the fulfilling joy that comes with the simple things in life and a positive outlook!
16 comments:
Its posts like this that really make me look at my life and be very grateful for everything God has blessed me with. Looks like they are having a lot of fun though!
I think kids today get WAY to much "stuff". They get where they don't even appreciate it. We were at a birthday party Sunday for a little boy turning 1 year old. If we had had one of those toys he got, and he got MANY, we would have thought we'd died and gone to Heaven. I agree with what you've said, the creativity comes out when the toys are set aside.
Susan
well at least now we know why the marbles are a bit jostled in your head michelle:-) KIDDING!
what's so cool about this, is the sameness of all culture. some things are just that simple.
hey, i don't have your email address...do you mind sending it to mine? mine is on my profile page.
i know, after accusing you of having loose marbles- you may not be so inclined:-)
I can soooo relate! Every time I think about my "family" in Belarus, I realize how complicated and spoiled I am! Thank you for sharing with all of us today!
Ella loves the box her Pampers come in. She uses it as a push toy and I also pull her around the house in it. She also enjoys playing with empty containers. The simple things are so fun!
So true, so true. The highlight of my 3 year old daughters Christmas last year was the boxes. She could stack them and make houses out of them, beds for her dolls, cars to ride in. You name it she could make a box turn into it.
I remember when I was a kid how much fun it was to straddle the end of the couch, pretending to ride my pony, or sitting in a laundry basket pretending to drive a car. That's what being a child is all about. Pretending. I wonder when we lose this fun activity when we become adults. It's sad. I think that's why I enjoy being a mom so much. It makes me a kid again.
How true and how vividly I remember you being pulled around (only I rmember a clothes basket). Okay so who got grounded? Now don't tell me it was you - I won't believe it.
Mom
Beautiful message, as always.
love it!
I so agree with "Penless Thoughts"! Everytime I clean up the playroom I think about Laura Ingalls of the Little House books—she had ONE DOLL and that was it . . . and she turned pretty great.
There are days when I am tempted to throw out all my kids' stuff and help them discover how to enjoy life without so many THINGS.
These kids are too cute. Don't you just want to squeeze em? Wish I could pack up our playroom and send it their way.
So true. I agree some times it is fun to play with the simple things like boxes and drawing on paper(which my kids both like to do) and etc
Great post.
What was I thinking?? We should have skipped the pool and just gotten a few suitcases out of the attic. hee. Such a cute picture. My kids come up with all kinds of crazy stuff--especially the older boys who somehow got ahold of the movie Jack*ss <--didn't swear. Their little stunts have been scary to say the least. Lord Jesus help me.
My brothers used to drag me through the house on a blanket... and down then stairs. HAHAH ouch!
That looks like a fun suitcase. :-)
Jenna decided to ride down the steps in the laudry basket all on her own. She didn't even need her sisters prompting, hehe.
When we had kids from Africa stay with us they were not allowed to watch TV or use electronic toys. They had to go back to their normal life and not be spoiled by America. I asked them what they did for play. They said they would throw a stone in the air and watch how high it could go.
My kids were speachless!!!
So true. Neat pictures, too.
We just moved and most of our toys and games went into storage for 6 months while we live in an apt (building a house), and guess what? We haven't missed any of the stuff yet (toys, I mean). Makes me want to toss it all without unloading the storage unit.
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