Busy Bees

I’ve found myself wondering lately if limitless energy and boundless imagination are really a good combination.  Everybody says they are, but trying to keep up with four such children is proving to be rather difficult.  We’ve only just STARTED our Christmas vacation, and already I’m worn out!

The kids created a park, complete with park rules and a general manager.  Of course, that was K, if you hadn’t already guessed.  And though she advertised for donations, I don't think she actually made any money that day.  They tossed balls, balanced on bilibos, and slid and jumped on the sofa cushions.  Ummm . . . yes,
sometimes I let them do that.

We discovered that little R can climb to the top of the bunk beds WITHOUT the ladder.  She monkeys her way up the head of the bed only to grab the top rail and then let her feet dangle until someone comes to rescue her.  Sigh.  It’s so much easier to keep the girls’ room securely closed when they’re away at school all day!

The kids have set a new record for the number of times they can run around the coffee table before they either collapse exhaustedly on the sofa or end up in tears because they crashed into something.

S and J have spent long hours running around the house flapping bandanas, pretending to be hippogriffs.

We have established that there are SOME presents that will survive if stepped on.  I’m a little afraid to examine the others too closely.  But the kids were duly warned before they began any present building adventures.  If it’s broken when they open it, I’ll be well within my rights to say, “I told you so!”

There have been many role-playing games involving Harry Potter, the City of Ember, Nancy Drew, and Star Wars.  There’s been sword fights and regular fights, laughter and tears.

But the epitome of creativity came when they decided to use biodegradable packing peanuts to create a green bouncy world for their Star Wars figures.  It was complete with hammock, tunnel, palm tree, fish tank, throne, crib, and bed.  They even used a piece of styrofoam as an imperial starship.  If you look closely at the photo, I think you’ll agree that Darth Vader never had such a cushy chair.

Have you ever come across this type of packing peanut?  They’re really pretty cool.  You just get one end wet and it melts somewhat and will stick to most anything.  K even turned a shoebox into a monster mouth for J to chase people with.  She may have regretted that creation, but he loved it.

I suppose I should be grateful that they’ve managed to keep themselves busy.  Because when the boredom sets in, so does the fighting.  And that’s always harder to deal with than creativity.