Ahoy Matey

Colby got the Lego Pirates of the Caribbean computer game for Christmas. He and Mason play it every chance they get. But mom (that's me!) has a strict limit on how much computer time the kids get. Mean mom! So Mason was looking for a way to continue the fun when screen time was over. Here is what you get when you mix one part boredom, one part creativity, and a dash of Lego Pirates of the Caribbean...a pirate ship built in your basement.

This was Mason's sea worthy creation: he used blankets, PVC pipes, jump ropes and other random household items. Then he enlisted the kids to be his crew....Land Ho, Shiver Me Timbers, Thar She Blows!! (okay, that's all my pirate lingo for now).

Captain Mason, 1st Mate Colby and the girls rowing the oars

A view of the rest of the "ship" --  it is even flying a pirate flag

It makes me so happy when my kids do "pretend play" like this. I wish it happened more often. It reminds me of my childhood with my siblings. I remember playing post office, library and school. Wow, I guess we weren't thinking 'outside the box' much but still....we had so much fun and kept ourselves entertained for hours. Times have changed with all of our modern technology, but I'm glad that sometimes my kids like to just play in the old fashioned way. I need to encourage it more. But in the name of full disclosure....you should know that it all ended in squabbling and fighting (it usually does). C'est la vie!