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Spontaneous Fun

Jeanna GLeave a comment

I had a dream the other night. I was in an airport and I was hanging out with Mario Lopez. He was his current age, but it was also before he became famous, because dreams are contradictory like that. We were having a conversation about what we want in life. His was to be an actor. I told him that if that was what made him happy, then he should stick with it. I think he took my message to heart. Then he asked me, “What brings you joy?” My answer was very clear as I replied, “Spontaneous Fun.” Then I realized I’d lost my phone somewhere in the airport and it was time to board my flight. My time with Mario was cut short.

I woke up thinking, “Maybe I should have had a deeper answer?” But why? Do I feel guilty for wanting fun to be a priority in my life? Should I have a more serious goal? Mario just wanted to know what brings me joy, right? And what is joy? Joy is the happiest version of happy. The biggest smile. The loudest laugh. Side stitches and weak knees. Joy is love because nothing else matters in the moment.

And so why does fun bring joy? Correction, why does spontaneous fun bring joy? I guess my life has become so planned, so routine, that fun has to be worked into the schedule. Is planned fun less joyful than spontaneous fun? My friends and I plan several gatherings throughout the year, and we have fun (maybe too much fun?), but it’s still a lot of work to get to the point of fun. So maybe that’s the key, I want more fun that requires no work, no asking the neighbor to watch the dogs, no asking my parents to watch my daughter, no packing, no saving, no lists.

When I was little, fun was never planned. Friends would show up at my door, and vice versa, and out we’d run to do whatever we felt like doing; bike ride, swim in the pond, a game of HORSE in the driveway, kickball in the field, walk to the town square for a sweet treat. Spontaneous fun seems to require a sense of freedom. Are adults less free to have fun?

Such conundrums I’m left with: I need to work for free time so that I can plan some spontaneity; I need to say No more often so that I can say Yes more often; I need to be irresponsible in order to have more guilt-free fun. Everyone has their own idea of fun. Mine involves four A’s: action, adventure, amusement, and an awakening of the senses. Now how can I create more spontaneous fun? Mario, help me name my adventure!

Molding With Play-Doh

Jeanna G1 Comment

I run summer camps for kids, and we offer the campers Kindness Coins when they exhibit behaviors that are respectful or honest, or if they’re being a good sport, etc. At the end of the week, the kids can spend those coins at the camp store.

This past week, we transported 10 campers from a low-income neighborhood to join in our camp. When it was their time to buy their prizes, one of the boys held up a container of Play-Doh and asked what it was. I about fell over. I answered his question, but he was still confused as to what one does with it. I told him that he can mold it into different shapes and objects. I ended up giving him a few containers of it, because I just couldn’t stand knowing he had never played with Play-Doh before!

My blog posts are intended to help readers rediscover their childhoods, or to create new child-like experiences, but I’d like to add a new intention to the list: encourage my readers to help children live their best lives!

There are kids who have nothing to play with. Play helps us to learn and grow, and to have curiosities about and motivations for the future. And don’t forget how much joy they can bring into our lives! And yes, Christmas is a great time to donate, but kids like toys all the time! Some places to consider: foster homes, day cares, and womens’ shelters, or organizations like The Toy Foundation, Stuffed Animals For Emergencies, or Toys for Tots.

Please consider donating toys. While they are molding little creations from their imaginations, we can feel good about helping to mold our youth into happy little humans.

Snow Day

Jeanna G1 Comment

I’m not from here, but I’ve been here long enough that, when asked, I answer, “Home is North Carolina.” Except when a winter storm is coming. Then my answer is, “I grew up in New England.” It’s like I gain instant street cred (in my head anyway).

Winter Storm Izzy is on her way, and all the Cackalackys are in a tizzy. Buy all the bread and milk that exists! I never really understood the milk part of that equation. If the power goes out, which is to be expected with the amount of predicted ice, who’s going to want to drink sour milk? I’ve got a bottle of wine and a gas grill. All set.

The storm should be arriving Saturday night and continuing through Sunday. Monday is a holiday and Tuesday is a scheduled Teacher Workday, but the kids are still praying for a snow day come Wednesday. Sorry kids, the odds just aren’t in your favor.

And I really am sorry, because the suspense followed by the sweet relief and utter joy that comes with a snow day school cancellation is unparalleled. I vividly remember lying in bed listening to 96.5 TIC*FM, lights off, eyes closed in prayer, practicing my ABCs as I waited for the DJs to make their way through the list of closures. God help your nerves if you tuned in on a letter after your school district! Ok, focus, here we go… Avon, Barkhamsted, Bloomfield, Canton (Yes! Canton is nearby!), Darien, East Granby (Our neighbors! It’s looking good!), East Hartford, East Windsor, Ellington, Enfield (Why so many E’s, God, why??!), Fairfield, Farmington, Glastonbury (G! We’re next!! Please God! Please!), *dramatic pause*… Granby. GRANBY! YESSSSSSS!!!! *Slap* Alarm is off, back to bed. HA! Who am I kidding?! I leap out of bed. Snow pants on. Where are my moon boots?! “Mom! I’ll be back!” And out the door I go. Never has it ever been easier to get out of bed on a weekday morning.

Snow tunnels, snowball fights, igloos, King of the Mountain, catching flakes on our tongues, snowmen, snowmobiles, sledding and tubing. All great, but my personal favorite is lying deep in a snow drift, in the silence only a snowstorm can provide, staring up into the grey, mesmerized by the swirling crystallizations that rosy my cheeks and decorate my eyelashes. All proof that gentle and unique creations can make a world of a difference when they connect.

May the suspension, relief, joy, adventure, and enchantment of a snow day be with you every day.