Free play

Yesterday our friend Helena came over for a couple hours so her parents could sleep while her baby sister did, and also so we could soak up some Helena time for ourselves. I didn't have anything special planned; and as it turns out, I didn't need to. Those kids couldn't have been happier, for hours on end, to just play, play, play. They chased each other and rolled on the floor in a huge pile of girls. They tickled one another shrieking "Tickle tickle..." from room to room. They pretended to cook and they dressed up. Nora discovered a "cave" in their closet and this was the source of great interest and pleasure as well. A new reading nook-- check out this unstaged photo!

Nobody told me they were bored, not even once (not that they usually do, but I usually have more of an "experience" prepared when kids come over). Nor did they seem to need anything. I never even got as far as putting music on, which we typically do. There was simply too much need to catch up on some good old-fashioned play with a friend.