A Different View

2012

We had a friend over this weekend and much play and creativity happened. All. Weekend. Long.

As Austin slept in this morning- no doubt recovering from what has got to be the 10 year old equivalent of a a hangover- I took the opportunity to set the house back in order. As I walked around I couldn't help but notice the substantial amount of plates in every room with pizza crusts and little bowls of ranch on them or the empty ones with just crumbs left over. Soda cans, empty candy wrappers and lots and lots of glasses of water were everywhere. Pillows in disarray and blanket piles on the floor that needed to be folded and put up.  Swim clothes and towels were hung from every available hook in the bathrooms. Paper and cloth scraps left over from art projects and lots of Lego creations.  Hoops and swords were everywhere!! Oh, my!   

The whole time I was cleaning up I was smiling and my heart was soaring with joy and here's why: The scene in my house on a Monday morning showed a full weekend filled with kids playing. One that was too full of epic adventure to worry about picking up because as soon as one thing ended another began and there really wasn't anytime for picking up.  

This is where the perspective went from resentment about a messy house to gratitude I could provide the space for such adventure. 

As I picked up I was reminded of ...

this happening...

and this...

and Oh My God! the sheer awesomeness of this!!

The quiet, cozy times like this...

to the not so comfortable looking times like this.

Opportunities for me to work my mad Monkey Platter skills like this, when game play is too enthralling to go downstairs for a meal.

When I look back and remember all of the wonderful things that happened this weekend I couldn't be happier to clean up what was left over.