Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head...

During a story time at the children's museum today, the children were all encouraged to use their imaginations. The story came to a place in which Mr. Potato Head was about to get Mrs. Potato Head's hat from an alligator. So the story teller asked, "How is he going to get the hat?"

Without hesitating, Isaac yells, "He's going kill him!!" Surprised by this, the story teller says, "Okay...any other ideas?" And another boy yells, "He could shoot him!" and another yells, "Or use a bow and arrow!" Now with everyone laughing nervously, the female story teller asks again, and a sweet little girl recommends trading something for the hat. They went with that idea. Mr. Potato Head and the alligator exchanged a fish for the hat. And it made me wonder...how did all of those little boys feel? Why weren't their ideas chosen? Were they wrong? Were their imaginations bad? Or could it possibly be just the way they are wired? Designed by God to be little warriors and one day protectors of their families? And yet, as women, we cringe when we hear these traits come out. We roll our eyes or get nervous at their horrific imaginations. They like to play fight and wrestle. They turn EVERYthing into weapons. They like to take risks and do things that are dangerous. And they make us, their mommies, oh so uncomfortable at times.

God help me see my son, who is fearfully and wonderfully made, the way YOU see him! He was made in Your image...and that is a good thing! May I never squelch his sense of adventure or put him down for his vivid (and sometimes violent) imagination. Help me to nurture within him all that You have created him to be! I love my son and I am SO thankful for how You've made him, Lord!

Here's a fun example of the difference between my two kiddos. Can you guess which child built which potato head? ;) I'll give you a hint...Isaac is ALL boy, and Naomi is a girly girl! :)

I think I could have earned some sort of medal today. Just saying. ;) I successfully got four of us ready, lunches and diaper bag packed, remembered to pack the stroller, and left the house ON TIME! We left the house at 10am, and then did not return until 5pm. Can you say LONG day?!? The kids had a great time, and so did I! :) My back may be paying for it tomorrow, though, as I held Sarah the ENTIRE time. Most of that time was in the Baby Bjorn...but that's still carrying around 13+ lbs of extra weight! Hehe. Then in my exhaustion after the museum, I gave in to my kiddos' precious requests to go down to our neighborhood playground. Their laughter while on the tire swing TOTALLY made it worth it! :) Great day, spent with some great friends and some great children! :)

{joy...playing outside in February}