I’ve just been tidying up after a weekend of having the grandchildren to stay. And, as usual, I find it fascinating to think about how their little minds develop. The youngest is just about into the ‘posting’ phase - you know, that time when nothing’s safe, when keys and mobile phones can disappear never to be found again - or so it appears initially!
But our eldest seems to have arrived at a completely new stage….that of ‘thoughtful’ posting. He had fun arranging some flat cardboard puzzle pieces in amongst my table mats: presumably because he liked the idea of putting things together that seemed like a good match. Then later in the day he was occupied for ages taking toys into his bedroom, putting things into the bedside drawer, and rearranging all the Beatrix Potter books - taking them off their shelf and piling them beside the bed.
I didn’t pay too much attention at the time as I was pleased he was arranging things his way, and hoped that meant he’d settle easily once it came to bedtime. It wasn’t until a lot later that I realised he’d been acting with considerable forethought. For when it came to bedtime, he had no intention of settling down. Once I left the room, he turned on all the lights he could reach and proceeded happily to play with the stash he’d accumulated earlier!
I was amused and impressed if not a little annoyed with myself that I hadn’t seen it coming..
