What kind of Adventure?

Today has been a unique morning for us in the Bishop household. We are IN Iowa City, and I had a fun "31 gifts" Saturday morning party with my friend Annie.  That meant Andy and Zander were on there own. Something that doesn't happen very often, but makes me realize how awesome it is for Zander to get to spend alone time with each parent.  Andy has so much to offer that I just don't do with Zander. He's so creative!

When I got home I asked them what they did while I was gone.
"We went on an adventure, didn't we Zander?"
A huge smile on Zander's face. The kind where his eyes even smile. "Yeahhhhhhhhhh"
A little surprised and yet curious, I asked, "What kind of adventure?"

Andy continued to tell me about their adventure, about how he hid a variety of stuffed animals/toys around the house. He put a special backpack on Zander and they each had swords (paint stirrers) and helmets (stocking caps) and they were off on their adventure trying to find each of the animals to save them, and put them in a special bag (garbage bag) Andy was including Zander in the story telling by asking him, "Where did we find the lion?" or "What did we find under the TV?" and finally the end of the adventure was finding the princess in the castle (our roommates doll, that was hiding in a cooler)
The whole time, Zander was lov'n  the re-telling of what a fun adventure they had.  I can only imagine him skipping to each of the rooms in excitement for the next find.

I mean seriously, I never think to do things like this! Andy is so creative! I'm supposed to be the "artistic" one. But I've always told Andy he's much more creative than me.  I LOVE that about him!  How cool that Zander got to use his imagination and experience this with his daddy!  Here's the remmants of their fun:

Toys and garbage bag laying on floor, Andy whooped, and Zander still so excited that he was the only one that DIDN'T want to take a nap!

This really just made me thankful. Thankful for my guys. Thankful for the variety in parenting. Thankful for Andy, that he was willing to play WITH Zander and not just give him something to do.  (I need to put this in practice most days! Even thankful for the time away, to appreciate good friends, and what I missed at home.