don't get me wrong... i really believe that when i play with others, i DO it well. it's just that throughout the weekend (most weekends, actually), i found that i was doing so many things that HAVE TO BE DONE, and not leaving enough time to play.
there are PLAY dates on my calendar: i'm going to a murder mystery dinner party, a mad tea party, we're going to the annual Spring Festival/Chili Cook-off in town this weekend, i'm heading up to D.C. for a conference (that will involve a lot of playing, too.) it seems that if it's not written on the calendar, if it's not a big deal, then sadly, playing falls by the wayside for me.
instead, i'm catching up on the week's housework that just didn't get done, spring cleaning, harping on matty & jack as i follow them around picking up stuff. oof - not a lot of time or energy left over for playing. when i do find a moment, i play with my family, my husband and son who are always ready, willing & able. but, do i ever really just let myself go, not a care in the world?
case in point - picture one
have you ever seen someone trying so hard to look like they're having fun?!? as you can see, i am totally pre-occupied with how the picture will turn out. i literally had to run with the boys outside to take this photo last night while dinner was cooking. "come on, let's stand around jack's bike. look like you're having fun! we're playing..."
um, riiiight...
ok - take two
better! as you can see, i was able to lighten up a bit for this one. but geesh, would it kill me to just LET GO!!
my takeaway from this challenge is that i've got to make more of an effort to just. have. fun. whenever & wherever. there just has to be more PLAYing going on around here!! did anyone else find they struggle with being able to relax and play?
because, really? i want to look like THIS a lot more!
31 comments:
I totally can relate! Play doesn't come so naturally for a Mom, I guess!!!
I loved your pictures!!! You are beautiful! And I love the laughing smiles.
Those pictures are classic and so real. I love it!! I am more often than not looking "preoccupied" in the camera with my kids too.
Your last picture is beautiful. We all need a smile like that!
hmmm. so interesting where the spt takes us. and the different journeys people take off on from the same challenge.
i think "play" may be so far out of my vocab that it never even came into my mind...now that is sad!
actually, i do find time to play but it is a few times a year (ie cottage getaway, women's reunion) and it is most always SCHEDULED>
i would like to have more playing on a WEEKLY basis. heck, daily would be great. i know what you mean though, it is hard to find time.
or is it??? maybe we just need to do it...
Excellent! The first pic totally cracked me up. In the others, you really do look like you're having fun. I think we need to carve out time to play, it won't happen unless we make it! Thanks for the challenge.
What fun pictures! I think as a mom sometimes it is a little harder to throw in the towel, and play! Thanks for the fun challenge!
I couldn't agree with you more. I keep telling myself the same thing.
Thanks for the reminder.
Great pictures!
Fantastic pictures and I'm enjoying my SPT Tour amongst your friends!
What great photos of your family. I have to admit I do the complete opposite. Which is also a problem. I play way too much and never get anything done around the house.
I just want you to know how much I am enjoying your challenges each week. They are so fun!
Love your pictures! I found myself smiling back at you when I looked at your last picture.
I love that you shared all of your attempts, they are great pictures! I can totally relate, too often I feel like the "task master" mom and not the "fun" mom.
Thanks for the reminder to play!
I bet you are pretty balanced between the "doing" and the "playing" We have to be. A time and season for everything right?
Unfortunately, my playtime only happens when it is scheduled as well. Although, thinking about this challenge made me realize that I need to play more. Stop. Drop and play! That is going to be my new motto. You know the old saying about what kids remember...I thought last night that I would just die if all they remember is that I was cleaning and getting after them for not helping. PLAYTIME has got to come more easily for me - without the all the planning. Thanks for the challenge!
LOVED your photos!! Too cute!
I understand. It's hard to play. I don't enjoy playing with my kids (it's an effort) and have sort of forgotten how to do so. It's a sad state of affairs.
I'm a player. I always say I am a good camp counselor and lousy mom. Schedules? Chores? Teaching my children to be self sufficient adults? None of those are my strong points. Stuff doesn't get done when it is supposed to more often than not around here. Ah well!
They are REAL, that's what's so great about your pictures.
Your post is such a great reminder for what I don't want to lose. Right now I have Mya home alone and so I am kinda forced to be the playmate, but I hope as she gets older that I still will be able to let go and be fun and playful.
I could relate to this post! I have never taken so long to write a post until this SPT! I have been thinking about it all week and what to do for it, and when I sat down to type, it took a lot out of me! Fantastic! My mind needs this kind of challenge, and I appreciate how it helped me to see how I need more PLAY! Thank you!
I think I do play a lot, but when you are consumed in play it is hard to take a picture and when you are consumed with the camera it is hard to play.
thanks again always for this challenge. it really challenged me today!
I love that what you came up with was how to lighten up and have more fun in life. I could really use this advice everyday. thanks loved the challenge.
love the photos.
Great pictures, especially the last one. I love to see everyone's smiles. I caught myself smiling back and wondering what made you smile so big! Thanks for the challenge.
You really got me thinking today. I like your take on this too. Spontaneous play is good, but I can relate to it being a bit challenging to just let my hair down sometimes.
I really loved this!!! I had to laugh out loud -your descriptions & pictures - how great!
It is about 10pm here & I'm just posting mine, before bed. Yay!!
-ciao
You have a beautiful smile, and I think it definitely should be seen more often -- play, play!!
I love the forced play...so true that our "scheduled" play happens and is oh-so-controlled, but that type of life leaves little room for spontaneous. That's the good stuff, really. I love how you expressed your thoughts here.
Life can never have too much laughter. Sometimes getting the right photo for these posts can be stressful!
Thanks for the wonderful SPT ideas. They really get me thinking about myself, which is important, especially when raising children. How do you come up with your fabulous ideas? Thanks again for the challenge. It's nice to have something to think about other than dirty dishes and laundry. :)
I can play with my family if the house is clean and everything is crossed off my 'to-do' list. Yikes! Did I just type that??? Time for some inward reflection on that one . . .
I can't believe I haven't commented yet! Loved your post! And the picture of your smiling makes me smile! Most of us don't see the 10 pictures it takes to get to the one that we post or share with others! Thanks for your work on SPT! You're awesome!
Whenever I am in pictures now I am inevitably unhappy with how my neck looks. Weird, huh?
I love the carefree smile at the end of your post. We might not get to play like that all the time but if we make sure to sneak it in occasionally, our families, homes and the world will be a much better place to be!
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