Oh, how to blog this. How to blog this…
Yesterday I took the kids to Clarkston Covered Bridge in Cullman. I took some great pictures and the easiest thing in the world would be to post the pics and talk about what an amazing time we had. I could put the pics on Pinterest and the kids would look adventurous and what not. And you’d be all ‘what a great Mom and Aunt to take the kids somewhere fun!’
However…that’s not exactly what happened. Sunday, while we were at my parent’s lake house, James earned the right to purchase a video game he’s been wanting for a long time. How he did that is a whole other judgement inducing post. So, the idea of getting this video game took hold in his mind and he began asking ‘when can we go to GameStop’ as soon we got in the car to head home.
Because I’m AWESOME Because I thought it might be nice on the way back to take the kids geocaching, I side tripped over to the covered bridge. This idea was not nice with James. He immediately began complaining ‘I’m ready to go home’ ‘I want to get my new game!’ ‘Too many bugs’ etc.
This stupid video game was wrecking our fun and he hadn’t even played it yet. He had this incredible area to explore full of creeks and sand and cousins and all he could think about was the XBox.
“It’s this really awesome adventure game.” I overheard him say to his cousin. I snapped. I, oh let’s call it a ‘momma snap.’ That’s right, I Momma Snapped.
“JAMES! THIS is your adventure! See those dark woods? Go play in them! Go have a REAL adventure! Not the one you play with your hands but the one you are actually in!”
He didn’t find the speech near as stirring as I did.
I get so frustrated because I fear that he is wasting his childhood. I feel like I’m letting him waste his childhood. I fear that twenty years from now his memories with his cousins will be sitting side by side with each other on their separate devices.
So, yep. I’m going to keep taking those side trips.
Snakes may be involved.
Bridges straight up out of Sleepy Hollow may be involved.
Creeks that lead to deep dark woods are a given.
Fallen trees? Bring it.
Tadpoles the size of my hand are unexpected but worthy of our adventures.
And darn it all, we’re gonna have fun. After all, some birds fly out of the nest of their own volition and some need to be pushed.
Prepare for the pushes, kids.