Sunday Afternoon: Game Stations in the Garden

Enzian had the idea of setting his own game station in the garden, which he would later invite his brothers to visit and participate after the station was completed. His tools and materials: a few canes and a hammer. The next few minutes heard him happily hammering the canes into the garden ground. I had no idea what game he had in mind for his visitors, seeing a few canes erected like stilts of a house (minus the house). His brothers thought what he was doing was cool and looked fun, so they brought their own tools and equipment individually to set up their own stations. So I saw more things being brought to the garden: red mat, stool, several empty plastic milk bottles, balls, numerous small toys of different sorts and cars.

I went about preparing the day's meal in the kitchen, satisfied that they had found something to divert their attention from computer games. The next thing I heard was they were ready to play their games.

Bart's station was bowling in the air. The objective of the game was to throw the ball like a short-put and attempt to topple as many standing bottles as possible. The thrower with the most toppled bottles wins. They played a few rounds, each taking their turns cooperatively. It was enjoyable to watch them play.

Next was Enzian's guessing game. He placed several small toys in a large container, covered it with a red mat. The player closes his eyes, puts his hand in the container and takes out one toy at a time and makes a guess at what that toy is. Each correct guess earns the player one point. Bart thought this game was marvellous! They didn't get to play Enzian's original game with the canes eventually, it is still unknown what game was planned with those canes. The stilts he had erected earlier were either pulled out or ran over with a car by Johann.

Ludwig's game station did not materialise, unfortunately. He needed materials that he was not permitted to use (planks). Nonetheless, he enjoyed his brothers games and the process of setting up his own station.

I told myself I will help him with his station the next time they are game for it.

Little Johann was as involved as his older brothers despite not having any station to call his own. Interacting with and interrupting them from time to time, he ran from one station to the next without his T-shirt on.

It was a delightful afternoon.