Truett and I took the grandchildren to Rum Island on Sunday morning. We just sat on a picnic bench and watched Madeline and Oliver play. Even though Oliver is only three years and three months old, he was definitely in charge at this point and had Madeline's full attention.
"What are you doing, Oliver?" I interjected.
"Making hot dogs," he answered. "Can we put them in the water?"
"Certainly," I answered.
Then he dipped his silly putty hot dog in the spring water to discover what would happen. It stiffened up.
Then their play changed. They wandered to the point on the river bank.
"What are you guys doing?" I asked.
"We're hiding from pirates and hiding our jewels," Madeline answered.
"Cool!"
So off they tromped over cypress knees and dry grass, escaping from pirates. You will notice that Maddie is in charge now with little Oliver following close behind.
Yes, like two peas in a pod, they eluded the bad old pirates and made it safely back to Nana and Granddaddy.
Do you know how hard it was for me to let them play in the wild without me shrieking, "Watch out! You migh poke your eye out!". ."Don't fall! . . Stay back from the River! You might fall in!"
All those things I had to suppress. They have to be free in the wild. Otherwise, how will they ever learn.
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