End of an Era

Don’t worry, it’s not the end of the Sock Era – notice Jack’s socks are brown (like his pants) with light blue heels and toes (to match the shirt.)  All is well in the sock realm.

But, it is the end of the Rice Era. 

The Rice Era was one of great joy in our household.   This little box of rice was a favorite toy; one that we got out many, many, many times.  It was such a hit in our household, that we decided to make Owen’s 2nd birthday a Rice Party.  One small pool, and 4 bags of rice from Costco, made for one hit of a party.  We never moved on to the other activities that I had planned.

And the kids were not the only ones to be enamored with the rice.  I certainly didn’t mind pulling out the rice whenever Owen wanted, and there was one point at Owen’s party where there were only adults playing with the rice in the pool. It’s kind of addicting.  Oh look, there is Charlotte and Bridget’s daddy, Mat, playing with the kids at Jack Birthday Rice Party when Jack turned three.

In addition, many a play date has been made special by bringing out the rice box. (Jack and Bridget)

And today was one of them.

The rice was everywhere by the end of the hour that Jack and Bridget played with it.   The mess probably added 30 minutes to my clean-up, but it didn’t bother me at all.  I swept and vacuumed the rug, under the rug, under the couches, across the room, in-between the the cushions of the couches, and the few errant pieces that hid in the closet by sneaking under the door.  And I simply smiled at the thought of the fun that my boys and our friends have had with this simple toy.  In truth,it was a little sad that it was the last time to clean it up.  (But don’t worry Eric-and air vents-and nooks and crannies of the house, it WAS the last time – that rice is in the compost bin.)

The Rice Era has ended, but fear not little tiny objects that take over the house, your reign has not ended.  It has simply morphed into the Lego Era…