In recent days we were gifted with two snow storms and lots of outside work that needed to be done. Both for the animals in my care and the house that we live in. Cora, stayed snugly in the house with one of her siblings, while I trudged through the daily outside work and errands/appointments that couldn't be missed.
During this time I discovered that Cora had lost interest in many of her toys. Gathering up the ones she outgrew, or could out think, I packed them away for the grandbaby that will be born in May of this year. I relished in the fact that toys were being outgrown as fast as her clothes are being outgrown. I also loved the fact that it gave me opportunity for a little toy shopping.
Away my oldest daughter and I went to the store and we could be seen scouring the aisle for the right kind of toys. Pushing buttons and listening to songs and watching the bleeps, beeps and flashing lights. I must admit I grew frustrated at one point because I really wanted toys that would challenge Cora and not make the learning easy for her. She needs to gain understanding and reasoning, as well as increase her eye - hand coordination. Many of the toys we found would do the reasoning for her at the mere push of a button, with little reasoning required from Cora.
Finally , I spotted the perfect toy. I remembered the hours of play that it offered my older kids and I was sure Cora would like it too. We grabbed a big bag of them, walked to the register and drove the twenty two miles homes, anxious to see how Cora liked her new toys.
Cora was looking at a book when I walked into the house. Her eyes lit up when I signed "toy" and "play" and then told her all about the new toys. Emily took the bag and opened it and that was the end of any conversation. I lost the both of my children in the play of the new toys.
Then Kelsey joined in and as soon as Phoenix got home from school, he too joined in with the toys. Each one building and showing Cora how to put them together, pull them apart and play. Before long Cora was building her own designs, and knocking them down without any help from the others. She would watch them play with her, pick up one of her peices and hand them to a sibling for their project. She was demonstrating sharing and participation. I loved every minute of it!
Cora continues on with facing new challenges as if they are everyday occurrences. She looks at a problem just as it is and doesn't make it any worse than what it is. She bends her head this way and that, studies and watches, and then gets her hands dirty and goes to work. I like the lesson that she continues to teach to me and her siblings. A problem is only as difficult as we make it.But is there beauty in a problem? Absolutely! Dont' make it worse than it truly is and learn the lesson it offers you. A problem is merely an opportunity for growth.
Cora continues to grow....are you?
The new toys? Megablocks!
