Where Is It?

Max is getting more and more verbal and if you give him half a chance, he'll happily talk your ear off (whether or not you understand everything he says is another matter entirely). Lately he's become really interested in where things are. If he's looking for a particular toy, he'll walk around the house, throw his hands up in the air, and exclaim, "Where is it? Where did it go?" He's been watching parts of "Dumbo" for the last few days, and there is a part in the beginning where a stork is looking for Dumbo's mother -- every time he gets to that part he turns to me and says, "Where is the mama elephant? Where did she go? Where? Where is she? There she is!" He says it with such genuine concern and puzzlement each time that it totally cracks me up. The only down side to this line of questioning is that he's taken to asking Dad where I am and bursting into tears if "the Mama" isn't trotted out immediately.

Hiding is also a lot of fun for Max right now. He's discovered a perfect hiding spot behind our (horrible) vertical blinds. If it weren't for his little toes sticking out at the bottom and the constant, "Where is Max? Where IS he?" chatter, we probably really WOULD have a hard time finding him. Max thinks it is very amusing when you walk around and look for him in silly places. Of course, Molly likes to get in the action as well, but she doesn't quite grasp the concept -- as long as she can't see you, she's convinced that she's very well hidden. She likes to sit in Max's "naughty corner," with her feet and legs sticking way out, and peek around the corner so you can "find" her. It's funny every time!

Just as Max is getting really good at playing on his own and doing lots of pretend play, Molly is beginning to perfect the pesky younger sibling role. She follows Max around everywhere and wants to do whatever he's doing (usually to his great dismay). Max will pick up his toys and move around to different parts of the room in an attempt to ditch his little sister and play in peace. Sometimes we can get them to play nicely with each other, but usually they end up stealing toys from each other and shrieking in outrage. They've also started whacking each other on occasion, which usually earns them a quick trip to the time out spot. But, then again, there are the times when they sit across from each other and take turns "beeping" each other's noses, giggling madly all the while.