“Children need the freedom and time to play. Play is not a luxury. Play is a necessity.”

                                                                        -Kay Redfield Jamison (author and clinical psychologist)

Yesterday, for about a minute, the sun shone, the wind calmed down and the grass was dry. Katherine had two friends with her and you could feel the energy in the house. It had been such a long time since the weather had allowed for outdoor play, that I almost forgot to suggest it. Well, thank goodness that I did. Katherine and her friends played for over an hour. All I heard was laughter, creative thinking and joy.

They used rocks, sticks and dirt. And of course the outdoor thermometer that Katherine is holding in the picture above.

Play is indeed a necessity.