Saturday afternoon while Matt, Nate, and Matt’s brother hung out and had some guy time, I slipped away and went to Kohl’s to do some shopping. So did the rest of the city, it seemed. After deciding on a few items, I then had to wait in a checkout line that surely rivaled those on Black Friday.
As I was waiting, I was standing behind a family with a young daughter and son who were probably seven and five. The little girl was playing with a shoelace, twirling it and whipping it around. The brother, having apparently just realized that his sister had something he didn’t, proceeded to chase her and steal the shoelace.
The sister immediately turned to her mother and gave her a look that conveyed everything that didn’t need to be said: “Did you see that?! He stole my shoelace!” The mother simply reached in her purse, without saying a word, and pulled out a second, identical shoelace, and handed it to the sister.
I watched those two play with the shoelaces for 15 minutes, until we finally, thankfully reached the checkout. For 15 minutes they were really happy. Now, either those kids were so incredibly bored that they were willing to play with absolutely anything in order to entertain themselves, even a shoelace, or they were simply able to enjoy the small, little things, turning whatever they had into a fun toy, even a shoelace.
I’m not sure what the moral of this story is. All I know is that from now on I shall never leave the house without two shoelaces in my purse. One day it might just buy me 15 minutes.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
No, really, you’re on the right track here. Fussy babies are fascinated with ordinary things too. When we go out shopping or to a restaurant, or really any place that will require lengthy good behavior from my daughter, I plan for it. I toss a few things in my handbag that will keep her little fingers occupied. Shoelaces are a funny idea. Maybe I’ll try those funny, springy ones!
Nicki’s last blog post..Reflecting on Peace
My 4 1/2 year old son and 3 year old daughter spent almost 2 hours yesterday playing with a coat hanger, a rubber band and a toy knife from their kitchen set. They were trying to make bow and arrows. They have toys…nice Melisa and Doug doll houses and geo trax sets…but no….coat hangers and rubbers bands it is.
I got some ‘Stroll’r Swivel’rs’ for a shower gift. I used them once and then my 4 year old discovered them. Now he and my 11 month old always have to have one when we are in the car. They are both mesmerized by them. I think you might have these as well. See what the boy thinks of them.
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2792276
Just goes to show ya that all the $$ we spend on colorful, decorative plastic toys does’nt have to be spent. Nice to know that young kids these days still have growing imaginations! They are able to make their own toys and fun from everyday objects.