Fave Games of Late

So Eva's got quite the imagination, as you may know. Two of her favorite games lately reflect this - and they crack me up, so I want to remember them here. :)

The first game is a copying game of sorts - she usually starts by positioning her hands in some funny shape, or holding them like she is praying, and then turns to me or Peter and says, "Do this, do this!" After we mimic her, she changes her expression, moves her hands around, and then says, "ok, ok, ok, now do THIS!" It usually involves clapping, looking out windows in the car, holding onto ears/knees/cheeks, and other various motions she can come up with and make us follow. She inevitably is struck with glee at some point during the game and laughs her head off that we are following her - which, really, is a valid point. We DO look pretty silly. :)

The second game is an outgrowth of normal pretend play with her dolls/toys/utensils/anything she decides to pretend with. (At breakfast the small and large *fork* were a mommy and a baby.) The dolls/forks/whatever almost always want to go to sleep, they get tired, they snore, and then the wake up! Which always seems magical to Eva! Then, the pretend characters usually want to "go off somewhere," are often "busy," or are going to find "friends to play together with." It's a whole intricate plot line, seriously. The frequently with which Eva starts these relational, creative and funny little games astounds me though; she does them probably 50 times a day, by herself and with others, at home and at church/nursery/friend's houses, and never seems to tire of them. I think she is replaying interactions and feelings she is living in her own little way, and its fascinating for me to see how her mind and heart applies that growing wisdom to, say, her fork.

Also, a recent favorite to animate with these storylines - our "matching" freckles. Both Eva and I have a freckle on the top of our left hand and she never tires of having them talk to each other, kiss each other, play with each other, and "go off to sleep" together. :) Just glancing at that little freckle on my hand now makes me smile.