The first thing he spied was the bridge over the newly built "dry pond". Staying on the bridge was NOT an option when there were all those ROCKS down below. Of course Grandma's admonishment of "don't move any of Grandma's rocks" seemed to fall on deaf ears as the overwhelming urge to organize them and - as I was told - "make a line of rocks".
By Sunday, he had discovered our Basement - another treasure trove of all things "boy-like".
Wood and wrapping paper rolls and "those little strong arm things" (as I figured out after he asked five times and I had to get him to show me that he was referring to the small one pound weights) were lugged upstairs to become another part of the "castle" he had built at the foot of our bed with every pillow in the house. He would bury himself in the pile and whenever anyone would try to go over - he would jump out and tell them he was the troll who lived under the bridge and they couldn't cross. 
Back outside he moved from the pond to the dry creek bed where he decided that the rocks placed along the sides of the creek should all be piled in one spot.
What is it about little boys and rocks?
So they've gone home - leaving in their wake little reminders that they were here and - looking on the bright side of things - the wood from the castle has been moved out to the deck - a few less pieces that Pops has to lug up the stairs.
The pile of rocks can easily be moved back into place - and after all, I wanted to move some of those rocks anyway.
The pillow cases were removed from the pillows for washing before the pillows were put back in their rightful places.
The "strong arm things" while still sitting on the kitchen counter are maybe a gentle reminder to Grandma Donna that perhaps she should get back to exercising?
While I have a tub of toys in the closet, not once did this little boy get those toys out, his toy box was the yard and the house and his toys were all the mundane everyday things that we see no use for but to a three year old, they become fodder for his unimaginable imagination.
Perhaps toy manufacturers - and we parents and grandparents who get sucked in - should listen and see what is really fun for little boys - they don't need all those fancy, smancy toys - they just need wood to build whatever their imagination makes it to be, they just need a pile of stones or pillows that become their imaginary castles. Wrapping paper rolls have a multitude of uses in a three year old mind - swords to fight with your sister or flag poles to sit atop your "pillow castle".
So as I go about my day today, I am sure I will continually find evidence of the three year olds visit and I will move them back to their rightful places all the while remembering with a chuckle the energy and imagination that children have when they are just allowed to PLAY!!!
Hmmmmmm - I think I have my Christmas gifts sitting right outside in my yard!
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