The note came home from school, crushed up and wrinkled in AJ’s school bag, smeared with chocolate and bits of sandwich. I flattened it out on the kitchen bench. With each pass of my hand across the monogrammed white paper I read that next Monday was curriculum day.
One week into term and the boys were going to be home the one day of the week I had to myself. There was no denying my heavy hearted sigh followed by – what were we going to do that day?
Staying home was an option. It was also a gateway to cries of boredom and simultaneous squabbles over the computer and the television. Staying home also meant an unhealthy attachment of me to the coffee machine.
Curriculum day arrived. Awake at six in the morning, the boys were in our bed and jumping all over hubby and I with excitement. “What are we doing today Mum?”
I reached for my phone and clicked the weather app: ‘no rain, sunshine forecast.’ I didn’t need to give our plans any more thought. “Boys get ready, we are going out!”
While they clattered away upstairs, I sat downstairs sipped my coffee and flicked through my social media. The pace had been set. Today would run on slow. As that thought lingered, I caught a glimpse of blue and green. Down the stairs they came, one foot after the other, one superhero after the other. AJ and PJ were Batman and Robin.
“Is that what you guys want to wear today?”
“Yep!”
They were way too cute to argue with. “Ok then, let’s go!”
We spent curriculum day on the beach. We chased waves, chased villains in the sand and chased our imagination as it weaved through the rushes. I sat back and watched the boys. It is a rare moment when I do sit back and just watch them be. I can get so caught up in the busy that sitting back, watching them and soaking them in, becomes lost in the week.
AJ explored and wandered along the rocks on his own for some time. While PJ was my little side kick. He was curious about footprints in the sand and why the clouds were grey and gloomy, when everything should be happy at the beach.
Eventually the boys played together and when they did, my heart melted. Sometimes the days we fear will turn our plans on their head and create havoc in our routine, are the days that we end up cherishing the most.
There is a certain magic that happens when children have nothing but their imagination to entertain them. No technology, no schedule and no strict routine. The carefree whispers of childhood and endless possibilities become their world of play.
Sitting on the beach that day it was easy to remember what was important. Across the sand dunes it was easy to see that there is no greater delight than a child’s imagination. And no greater delight in cherishing the memories we made on curriculum day.
Delight is part of the My Family Lens blog challenge series held through Olympus and Kidspot Voices of 2014. #myfamilylens explores and celebrates the unique things that make us the family that we are.
The images in this post were captured using the Olympus OM-D E-M10. The wireless connectivity, inbuilt art filters, high resolution touch screen and interchangeable lens makes this camera powerful enough to produce professional quality images in a compact camera that you can take everywhere.
Being in the moment is what matters most, capturing the moment should be easy. Please take a moment to fall in love with the Olympus OM-D E-M10.
