Abby and Bookgroup

Well, P finally bailed on acrobatics last week. I knew we were heading that direction, I had just hoped we'd leave town before he was actually done with it altogether:) So after a leisurely morning we headed to Benny's building for bookclub. We'd made a map of the world to play "pin the apple on the continent," and P carefully held it as we scooted.

After the book, the kids were ready to play, so we skipped the activity and watched them run wild in the corridors. As is the trend of late, P really wanted to play with his friends, not just play in his own little world. And so he tried to interact. But its so new to him. Most adults ask him questions or listen to his stories... or chase him and tickle him and growl and chase him some more. So, since no one was interested in his stories he took to chasing. And when the kids didnt' enjoy the tackling/tickling routine he took to... sticking his tongue in their faces. I have no idea where this came from, but it got a rise out of his companions each time, and so he continued!

So we had a little chat. That playing with friends isn't like playing with Froggy or Papa or Grandpapa or BB. I gave a few suggestions, he nodded his head and ran off. And Whalah! He really played With them. When a game slowed he'd suggest they chase one another. This usually worked. As the afternoon wore on, and P's energy reserves proved more resilient than his pals, the chase suggestion started to fail. And the tongue returned. So we chatted a little more about following his friend's lead if he wasn't sure what to play but wanted to play. A tough concept for a 3 year old, or at least this three year old, to be sure. But he must have really wanted to get along with his pals because he did it! And so the four kids spent the afternoon romping together, scheming about the little girl that lived down the hall (how could they get her to play with them?) and snacking.

We departed at the same time as Abby and the two skipped down the sidewalk holding hands. He also took turns with her on my scooter, each quipping "your turn!" every few seconds. He Adores this girl and they get along so well. I don't think the "girl" part of it features into his thinking quite yet per se, just that she's a bit older and good at expressing herself. Taking the testosterone laden push out of the equation doesn't seem to hurt either :)