Modern-Day Fun

Staying at home with young kids can sometimes be a lonely endeavor. Whereas in generations past, moms may have gathered on their front porches during the day and supervised their children running around in their front yard, today, most of the moms on my street -- and streets all over America -- are working, ferrying their kids from one activity to the next, or simply inside their homes.

We're very social on the weekends, gathering with friends to barbecue, heading out to pizza with a horde of little people, or meeting other families at birthday parties and playing fields. But the stretch of days inbetween Sunday and Friday can sometimes seem an eternity. We try to play out front -- riding bikes in the court and in the driveway, coloring with chalk, or playing catch on the front lawn -- but finding playmates can be hit or miss, especially during working hours. I think all stay-at-home moms crave the front-porch socializing of yesteryear, which is why we meet up so often at parks and playgrounds, to exercise our children and our minds.

For my little troop, the most fun day of the week is usually Monday, when we head to our athletic club -- a mecca for families in our area -- and the kids participate in their Tae Kwon Do and dance classes. More importantly, they get to reconnect with their classmates and friends for yet another Monday of fun, both inside and outside class. While the moms cluster together, sip coffee, nurse babies, and chat, the kids convene before and after class for raucous games of hide n' seek, Super Spy, and tag. It may not be a front porch, and the kids may not be playing in the street, but our modern-day equivalent may be just as comforting.

Another new take on an old slice of Americana? This game of super-modern tops that for the last two weeks has absolutely captivated all of the boys. And by captivated, I mean that tense, whole-body, tongue-sticking-out focus that is usually reserved for video games. If anyone is in the market for a gift for a boy age 5 and up, this is destined to be a favorite! Joey is exploring every angle in his mission to acquire his own set of tops, even lobbying for a present on his half-birthday this year!

I guess some things never get old!