While going to sleep Saturday night Josh asked me if I ever used to play with my dad. I paused to go back through the years and recollect the games and giggles that I had with a serious seeming papa. Two things stuck out: Family Home Evening and pinching. Thank heavens for the Gospel in our home growing up that guided the interactions I had with my Dad.
I remember most the mandatory FHE monday nights. We had to sing, have a lesson, a game, and a treat, no exception. Most of the games were home made and there were some mad favorites. I remember the receding light of day on our front lawn casting shadows over an elaborate obstacle course that Dad had built for us. Each of us lined up on the sidewalk and anxiously awaited our turn. I don't remember all we had to do, but it was a good competition, and lots of laughs. I think for weeks thereafter we tried to make a better obstacle course than Dad but no one really mastered it.
We frequently cleared the coffee table and pulled out a quarter to play 'slapsies and creepsies.' In turn we would secretly pass the penny underneath the table until the opposing team determined our fate. I believe this was the beginning of learning the 'poker face' when you were so excited as a child that the penny actually landing silently in your hand - at least until they called 'creepsies' and you had to slowly slide your fingers out onto the table without letting the quarter clink.
Dad truthfully came up with the best games and then we copied the until we were bored of them. He often brought in scout tricks and laughed at our expense when we couldn't figure out his riddles. More than once I sat on a wet rag playing 'Unga Bunga' or had my nose attached to a broom. Dad just laughed inside and wouldn't give the answer. It was fun for us all. Although, it was hard to have to sit next to Dad during the lessons of FHE because he was notorious for pinching your leg to keep himself awake and watch the girls jump. Those Monday nights were a haven. I realize now that it is because of our parents' persistence that we all learned how to sing, play the piano, and teach the Gospel at a young age. Those are miraculous skills! And we did have fun.
As parents, Josh and I are getting better. I am glad that we constantly evaluate and try our best to become better. We determined that we would both like to play more games as a family. We want to fill our house with good old fashion fun and music. THe influence of reading "Little House on the Prairie" series to our kids has been tremendous for us as we remember how simple it is to have a solid family.
Sunday we set out to create a pattern despite being sick and tired (very literally). Kids don't care how you feel as a parent, the just know what you are doing is lame. Right after Church and lunch we sat down to a game of Memory. Danny is particularly good at this game and Faith has extreme luck. Viv just likes the attention she gets at her turn and strangely will turn over the same cards turn after turn after turn, but gratefully she has gotten out of the sulky stage of worrying about winning. We played through twice, though we should have stopped at one since the attention on the second game waned fast; Josh and I both just wanted to prove that we weren't as rusty at Memory as we had been the first game.
The kids picked out Legacy for our afternoon movie/nap. We piled on top of each other like a family of gerbils. Danny and I slept through most of it and then on for a more drug induced sleep (me) while Josh took the girls out on a walk around the neighborhood. When I decided to get up I found cups full of dandelions and other precious weeds on tops of loving notes from the girls. Josh was sitting with the girls in the front room reading books. Danny gravitated to the reading and I moved to the piano to fill the room with music. Viv, our natural singer, was soon found at my side and I delighted in hearing her soft little voice mingling in and out with mine. She just likes to hear the melodies and doesn't care that she doesn't know the words. We played a bit of 'name that tune' and Viv was working on reading the titles so she didn't have to guess (she still really resents being wrong on an answer) and I was pleased that she new she could read well enough to work it out. We sang and sang until Faith joined us and then my singer was out. I continued to play the piano for practice, and an example to the kids who are now taking piano lessons, while the girls danced.
Josh had disappeared with Danny and the girls soon found out where they were as they peeked through the front window. Danny is a very analytical boy and is masterful at playing checkers. Josh and I have been sad that most of our checkers pieces have disappeared - yet the simplicity of invention saved the day! Josh created checkers on our porch and they used light and dark colored rocks. I insisted the girls stay out of the game for at least one game before they ran outside in glee. While I made a late dinner Josh taught them how to play four-square on the sidewalk.
The day ended peacefully together as Josh finished putting in the hanger rail in the kids' closet (part of our Saturday projects) and I read to the girls. Josh stayed in the room to listen with Danny since we are all involved with the story. Family prayers, kisses and goodnight. Definitely better.
