
Where our old sandbox was is now a new garden incorporating our apple trees. We'll have a pair of neighboring bean teepees, goumi berry bushes, cone flowers, chives, batchelors buttons and tall artichokes and cardoons. Or so I hope.
Play both inside and out has been expanding and evolving. A racecar pretend game initially was tricky to start the other because some children couldn't agree on whether there could be more than one driver. In time they agreed that a mechanic or engineer was just as crucial to the game as a driver, and they rode along with their "driver" enjoying the task of checking the tires and engine. A restaurant was opened near our "race track" and the driver and mechanic enjoyed taking a break in their racing day to have some lunch. Later, some mamas decided to come for a ride in the racecars along with their babies. I love watching how children's play can expand and grow if just given the uninterrupted time to unfold.