Imagination

I have been slow with posts lately because we've hit a rough patch in the terrible twos. The constant whining to the tune of , "I don't want that. I don't like that. I don't know how to do that. I'm not going to do that. No Mama. No Mama. Not yet Mama." It is exhausting. There is definitely a power struggle going on around here. We're trying to stay firm but positive and really praise the patches of good behavior. Parenting a two year old is definitely a strong test of my patience. And yet there are moments when parenting a two year old makes me smile from ear to ear with a giddy grin. The unedited innocence and imagination are just priceless. Watching Kate "play" on her own without our guidance and prompting is fascinating, entertaining and in many ways amazing. She certainly copies so much of what she experiences with us in her imaginary world, but she also comes up with ideas all on her own. She uses her toys in ways that I first seem unusual, but when explained by Kate make perfect sense. She'll take the theme from an episode of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and extrapolate and entire afternoon of pretend play. She loves to play school including circle time, books, and pump in up. She loves to have "parties" and often serves juicy tea and mac & cheese. Lately she's been pretending a lot to go on a trip and to the airport. She is a wonderful mother figure to her countless dolls and stuffed animals. Some days I can't get her ready to go because she's so busy feeding or changing or bathing one of her friends. She is insistent that we be quiet when they are sleeping and always keeps us updated on their messy diapers. She even occasionally will spontaneously pretend to take a nap herself- usually with multiple pillows and blankets in the middle of the family room moments before we are expecting company. For all the challenges this age presents, I hope that what I remember most about Kate as a two year old is the endless depths and reach of her imagination and ability to spontaneously create a good time with simply a few stuffed animals, some plates, and coasters. Here are some pictures from the last 7 months or so when her imaginary play lead me to smile, laugh, or shake my head enough to pull out the camera.

December 2009. This is when we saw her imagination really start to take off. She loved her Little People Nativity Set and would constantly play with all the characters. Here we joked that they were carbohydrate loading for the upcoming Christmas holiday.

For some reason playing on the bottom stairs is always a draw. Here she has set up dinner and books for several of her friends.

February 2010. Leading her friends in grace before a pancake breakfast.

Dishing out the pancakes. Kate also made sure that each friend had their own book to read while enjoying their breakfast.

March 2010. A wild pizza party- Molly and Baby Rose are both passed out face down.

July 2010. Barber shop. Kate serves tea while she does your hair. (On a side note, last week while I ran upstairs to get something Kate attempted to give Luke his first haircut using two of her my little pony doll combs. Needless to say, Luke screamed and I returned to find a very red and chaffed bald head.)

July 2010. Just another party table setting. Note how each guest not only gets a plate, a bowl, a utensil and a coaster, but also their very own musical instrument. I think she has a future as an event planner!