Amidst the cold and snow: 11 months!

Despite the icy, snowy weather in Atlanta this first month of 2011, GrandBoy has managed to sprout more teeth, increase his mobility, add more babble-words, and - wait for it - wave! Happy 11th month, Liam. Ride 'em cowboy on that wonderful hand-made rocking horse from your Papa George!

Boys and girls, come out to play!

It may be time to pack up the batteries and break out the blocks. The New York Times had an article the other day about restoring real play to our children's lives. Old fashioned, non-computerized toys and games teach a lot of life skills that all the fancy make-your-baby-a-genius gadgets can't. Dolls, balls, blocks, furniture cushions, pots and pans, sturdy cardboard boxes, and the like give children a chance to figure things out for themselves, create magical worlds, and just be silly.

And remember the active games you used to play with friends - Red Rover, Red Light/Green Light, Mother May I, Simon Says? If our kids are missing out on these, they're missing out on lots of fun, plus (for all of you who simply must have some educational value attached) real-life experiences that will carry them through adulthood. And, c'mon, how many toddlers would prefer watching a video to a rousing game of Duck-Duck-Goose, eh? All the squeals of delight. All the sense of accomplishment. All the quick-decision-making. Why, I'm up for a hard-core game of Red Rover right now!

GrandBoy and I spend a lot of time with blocks. I stack them up, and he knocks them down. He rarely loses interest in knocking down something I've built. He may wander off to try something else, but the minute he spies two or four or seven blocks stacked up, he's on it - bam! - and down it comes. I can't wait until the roles are reversed, where he builds something that I can knock down. Turnabout's fair play, after all.

Yeah, it's messy and time-consuming. And sometimes work has to get done, and those videos really come in handy. But a child's imagination is priceless. We will have to spend time teaching them the songs and the rules to the games. And don't be so quick to throw out that big box.

Then, just stand back and see what happens.

Boys and girls, come out to play,
The moon doth shine as bright as day;
Leave your supper, and leave your sleep,
And come with your playfellows into the street.
Come with a whoop, come with a call,
Come with a good will or not at all.
Up the ladder and down the wall,
A halfpenny roll will serve us all.
You find milk, and I'll find flour,
And we'll have a pudding in half an hour.

2011 Wishes for GrandBoy

On this first day of 2011, I have lots of wishes for you, dear GrandBoy, in the new year. I have more than 2011 wishes - I have millions. But here are the top five:

• Health. I wish you the best of health in the coming months as you learn to walk and balance, try new foods, and grow in inches, pounds, and brain power. May you be kept safe as you learn to run, climb up and down stairs, jump and tumble, and that any bumps, bruises, cuts, scrapes, and hard knocks are easily patched up.
• Healthy Parents. You'll need your mama and daddy to guide you for a long time, so their health is as important as your own.  And may they have the energy and stamina to keep up with you!
• More Laughter and Smiles than Tears. Everyone needs a good cry, especially if you're too young to tell us what you need. But I wish for you many more belly laughs, giggles, and toothy grins than tears in the coming year.
• Friends. Learning to sort out life-lessons with other little kids will help you more than just hanging out with the old folks all the time. Church, Gymboree, family gatherings, and assorted play dates are good places to find friends, GrandBoy. Learn to give and take. You will learn from your friends, and you have things to teach them.
• Good Old Fashioned Play. Make noise, stack blocks and knock them down, let your bare toes squish in mud and sand, roll around on the floor and in the grass, learn to swing and slide, get wet. Have fun, sweet boy, have fun!

May the coming year keep you safe and joyful, loving and kind. Happy 1st New Year, GrandBoy!