Last Friday was a long, busy, tiring day for us and by the time I got to Josh’s house to meet up with Janice (she kept the grandbabies that day), all I wanted was to get something to eat and crash. Janice was equally tired, if not more so.
But Jackson let it be known that he “needed” to go somewhere with Daddy and Grindaddy. Sort of a boy’s night out. We convinced him that Daddy needed to stay with Mommy and help with the twins, so he was fine with just going somewhere with Grinmama and Grindaddy. Somewhere that served ice cream.
We went by the house so I could get out of the suit and into some jeans. While I was changing, Jackson wanted to play with “the blocks.”
Twenty-seven years ago, I took some scrap lumber and cut it up into about 100 blocks of various sizes and shapes and sanded them down for Josh to play with. Over the years a few others found their way into the box … manufactured pieces (painted and very smooth). We’ve kept those blocks for all these years and Jackson’s favorite thing to do at our house is to “play blocks.”
We set them up as high as we can and he knocks them down and then laughs hysterically. Every time.
Who would have known those pieces of scrap wood would become such an entertainment for the next generation. Of all the toys he got for Christmas (and he enjoys them), he also loves to just stack up wood so he can knock them down.
If my life were only as simple.
It still makes me laugh hysterically too….unless it is a stack of files I knock off…then laughing is not what I do…..
Kids love the simple things. Maybe that is why Christ wanted us to become like them.
They often like the boxes their toys come in better than the toys themselves!
I have to smile sometimes when I see one of the anti-spam words on your blog. “Gidday” makes me think of Jackson’s names for ya’l – Grinmama and Grindaddy I know lots of “grins” abound!
Sounds like a similar exercise that church members practice at lunch on Sundays. Set up the preacher’s sermon and knock it down! Boys like doing stuff and what better stuff than knocking things down.
Peace.
Gee, Greg – Jackson sounds like a “chip off the old block” to me. I mean, aren’t you a “blockhead” sometimes?
And, you certainly seem like – in a lot of ways – a “square” guy. Also, we know how YOU love playing with wood (i.e. building fence sections with three – is it “vertical” or “horizontal” – I don’t remember – cross sections to hold the fence up).
You even have a dog named “Chipper.” As in – perhaps – “wood” chipper? That’s what you’ll have to get Jackson next, I suppose. But then, that would defeat the purpose of stacking up blocks and then knocking them all down – and laughing hysterically.
I’ve been accused by my son of being a “hyper-hysterical” woman, myself, so maybe I should come join Jackson in his play. But me – I’d like to THROW some blocks at a few people at the moment!
Oh well – must go. Have a doctor’s appt, so don’t have time to sit here any longer throwing “chip” shots at anyone, much less YOU, Greg.
Cheers!! And many blessings to each of you today!
Dee
P. S. Good post today, Greg. Not some throwaway piece of plastic. Solid as wood.
[Dee: You are just not going to leave that horizontal / vertical thing alone, are you?]
Little children are happy with the ordinary things in life. I wonder if that is why Jesus tells us to become like little children. They are satisfied with the simplest things, they trust and they love unconditionally.
Hmmm….guess I better start reading the comments first before I make one. Looks like Donna and I are on the same wave length today. Must fall under that category of “all great minds think alike”.
Also, I’m amused that this anti-spam word is ‘blocked’, and…..Dee is really on a roll today, sometimes I think she missed her calling as a comedian.
Sounds like he’s a “chip off the old block.”
Janice -
I might make a good ventriloquist’s dummy. They have heads made out of wood and I’m pretty much a “blockhead,” too!!
Cheers!
Dee
any kid i have ever know, and even me as a kid , like to play with the box, better then the toy !
I liked palying with blocks
A great reminder that it’s not always about the “latest” gadget. Entertainment can come from old blocks and some attention from a Grandpa.