Imagination

Lately, Abbey's imaginative play has been increasing in absolute leaps and bounds.  She is constantly singing and talking to anyone around, including dolls, stuffed animals, and imaginary pets and friends.  As someone who had a pretty active imagination as a child, I get excited watching this part of her personality develop. 

Like a lot of other things she undertakes, she is pretty serious even about her silliness.  This is one of the only things that she will do for any real amount of time on her own (she is not a big fan of independent play with blocks or toys or even crafts; she likes companionship,) so I definitely don't want to ever discourage it.  This is one of my main concerns about considering a Montessori preschool for the kids.  Most of the philosophy gels with what I believe about children and their learning, but I am not on board with their lack of encouragement when it comes to imaginative/pretend play.  We have time to hammer out those choices, though!

(One of Abbey's favorites)  "If you're happy and you know it

clap your hands!"  He's not a good clapper, but he adores Abbey, so I think that counts as happy.

Making some mac and cheese for Dylan while Mommy is cooking dinner.  He looks like he kind of wants to be rescued, but he tolerated the game for a while.

Here you go Dylan!

Open wide!

Maybe I should have discouraged this game a little.  The next day Abbey actually fed Dylan a cheerio.  It was dissolved/swallowed before I could fish it out, and doesn't seem any worse for the wear.  In her defense, I did tell her that when Dylan got a little older, she could help me feed him his cereal.  I guess she doesn't remember the tasteless mush that is rice cereal!