Last time I visited these kids, I was less fun. It was pre-clown school, and I did not know how to play. I thought play was heavy and selfish. Play is generous and light.
This time, I found the fun.
The boys were skeptical on my arrival. I am big and foreign. They clung to their parents, fair self-preservation.
Immediately, my friend tasked me with doing a silly dance. A great way to break the ice.
Upstairs five minutes later, I pretended to be a train conductor, them my passengers.
Our next game: while they scoot by me, they give me a high five.
The scooting and high five game is peak game. It fits what they’re already doing, just adding a little connection and flair. We played that one for fifteen minutes. It set us up well for our penultimate game, go run away and then run back for a high five. It’s played as it sounds.
Our final game, Francis summoned me to the bath to play. This game involved him throwing foam letters out of the bath and me throwing them back in. A good time was had by all. They don’t know that I’ve been up before 6am each day these past 5. They don’t know I drove for four hours today. They don’t know I’ve got a lot on my mind. They just know Uncle Gumbo is fun.
Quotent Quotables:
- “Uncle Bummo’s got a poo.” – Francis, age 2, about me, when I did not in fact have a poo.
