The Jar

Monday, July 11th

So, this was the first time the kids were pulling our next activity out of the jar (not really a "jar", more like a plastic storage container, but we call it what we call it.)
I was nervous.  I was in lots of scarcity around money and time.  "Please, please, please do not choose something that is going to cost a lot of money", is what I am thinking in my head.  Geeeeeeez! 
I quickly re-center myself and quite my mind.  I remind myself that this is all perfect and no mater what, I can choose my level of presence and connection to my kids. 
So, Little Man sticks is sweet little hand and pulls out the little slip of paper.  He chooses "Create Mini-Me's".  "Sweet, I think! and fun!"  NOPE....they both veto that one!  They both decide to put that back and choose something else.
(My need to control was subdued, going with the flow is what I choose!)
Little Man draws a new slip of paper......"Crafts".  "Ok", I think to myself, "This is good. Love crafts!"
Later on I have to pull Chris away from his friends outside...I bribe him with dinner at Subway.  We went to Michael's, and the kids picked out the kit to make bouncy balls and on the way home, Chris says to me, "I would rather play with my friends than make bouncy balls.  I choose out." (???!)
(He chooses out? Wonder where he gets that language from??)   
So, now I have all this "stuff" going through my head.  Is this supposed to look a certain way?  Is  this "right"?  What is wrong that he chooses out?
Then I remind myself....this can look any way, and really? how fun can it be for him, if I force him to have fun??
Lauren and I bust open the bouncy ball kit and Chris flees outside to play with his pals.  This is a relatively entertaining process.  I am amazed at who comes up with the science behind creating a bouncy ball in 15 minutes!  Very cool!
Lauren combines several colors and we talk about her day at camp and some of her favorite parts of her weekend at the lake house. 
The quiet time with her was serene.  Usually, Chris is interrupting or I am distracted by something else....barely hearing the words she speaks to me. 
The serenity was short and sweet! Ha haha....Christopher and the neighbor next door (Aiden...who cannot say his "L's" or "R's"  ) come bounding in the back door!  "We want to make bouncy bauws to, Angewa", says Aiden.

I think to myself, this can look any way we want, right?  Bring it!

Chris and Aiden design a bouncy ball together, and while it soaks in water to become a bouncy ball, they run back outside.  

Enter Kaitlyn, Lauren's gal pal.  Lauren's ball (in 15 minutes) is complete!  Lauren and Kaitlyn design a ball and Lauren tells Kaitlyn all about "the jar" and all the activities.  Kaitlyn's eyes are wide and she gets excited.  The girls decide to pick "tomorrow's" activity, which is fine by me (the controller within can plan ahead and be prepared...ugh!).  Kaitlyn draws "Family Movie Night".

All of a sudden, we seem to be planning a movie night that is turning into a slumber party.... <sigh>.....

This whole activity, lasted about 30-minutes.....AND I had FUN!  My kids had FUN, and we added a couple other to have FUN, too!  


Can't wait to see how this ends up looking tomorrow!