You might think, after having been gone for 3 weeks, I’d be unpacking and working all day at getting the house (and our WA lives) back in order.
The long flight coupled with possible lack of airline seats and hours of wait ahead of us in the Cincinatti airport, threw me into an utter panic. I reacted by buying candy and snacks and toys with abandon. This is what is LEFTOVER from our long day of travel. And trust me, those children did their best to eat everything before the final plane landed.
Nope. Instead I’ve been hiding and ducking my head in shame over the terrible lack of pictures in yesterday’s blog. To have my identity called into question, caused my dear husband to suffer deep heart distress, and forced my sister-in-law to actually read the post rather than just skim along looking at the pictures. We’re talking serious infractions here. And that’s only what I know from the few who deigned to comment.
The word is out that my faithful mother has mailed my camera cord and it is already on its speedy way here. If something happens to it in transit I have word from Debbie in NY that I can easily buy a little USB card reader for my camera. Whew! Life can progress along smoothly. Well, as smoothly as can be imagined with five children.
We went to a wonderful Fourth of July party yesterday. Most of the pictures are, of course, buried in my camera (so not going to go there) but I do have some that Tim took. The party opened with games at the nearby park.
Time for a little “Simon Says.”
Okay, “Simon Says” is not a new game. I mean, is there anyone who hasn’t played or watched their kids play this game? This question got me thinking about international versions (I think I’m easily distracted).
Jacques a dit — French
Santos dice — Spanish
Wilhelm sagt — German
This would actually be a fantastic game to use as a part of language study. Of course, homeschoolers might be more interested in a Latin or Greek version. Filing this little winner of an idea away to market later.
The crowd is thinning but Sarah and I are still in the game!
I was warned that Mr. L ran an intense game of ‘Simon Says” but I have NEVER played it quite like this. Our game leader was ruthless! He was easy on the kids (at the beginning) but then began whipping through the commands, disqualifying people left and right.
Sarah and I made through round after round. We even survived the tricky, “Simon Says it’s no longer Simon but Mr. L Says so Simon Says put your arms down.” I mean, we were unfazed by the subtle or even the obvious orders to shake, rattle and roll. In a moment of tragic distraction, however, I blew the whole game. Argh!! I bent over to speak to Sarah (who wouldn’t leave my side and was completely overwhelmed by the all the games no matter how friendly Mr. L was). In those few precious seconds, my brain failed to track the order of “Mr. L. now says that it’s back to Simon Says; Simon Says bend down and touch your knees.” The next thing I knew the other two gals had their hands on their knees and Sarah and I were thrown out of the game.
You can see it hit me very hard.
Sarah tries to comfort me but the loss is just too devestating. 
Rachel and I tried to make a come back at the next game – Inner Circle/Outer Circle. I can’t remember the actual name but it was something similar. Basically each grown-up paired with a child. The grown ups (and I use that term loosely) stood in circle (inner) facing their partner (outer circle). At the count of 3 the grown ups walked in a clock wise direction while the kids walked in a counter-clock wise direction.
This would work perfectly with music (sort of a moving musical chair thing). When our fearless leader shouted, the adults dropped to one knee and their partner had to run (frantically, knocking down small children and any grown ups not paying attention) to sit on the offered knee.
Again, I made it close to the final round of the game. I’m telling you, I was ON yesterday. Since I am not a game person, at least not this type of game, I was doing pretty well to participate at all. Give me a deck of cards or a Settler of Catan game board and I’m good for hours. Relay races involving balloons, eggs, and spoons in any combination?
No.
Thankfully Tim did not get a shot of Rachel and I losing. It wasn’t pretty.
Let’s just say I went home and took an hour and a half nap after our time at the park. A very strong cup of coffee and a change of clothes and I was ready to re-join the party for dinner. Enough said.
Kathy
Project 365 – Day 185
