Smith Family Weblog

“I made you cimmamin.”

In the past few months, Ava’s idea of “play” has really changed.

Instead of just dressing and diapering and undressing and rediapering babies, there’s a purpose behind everything. Now, the babies have to get dressed to go somewhere: the store, the doctor’s office, daycare, the park. Rather than just rearranging the contents of her little kitchen, she makes you chicken noodle soup and pickles and serves it to you for lunch.

Every playscene has a story behind it: “We’re going to the store to buy some milk. I’m taking my phone in case you need to call me while I’m gone.” (Yes, seriously. And, I know.)

There are elaborate situations within each session. For example, we’ll find Ava sitting quietly in the pantry with her babies. When you ask her what’s up, she says that she’s in the waiting room at the pediatrian’s. (If only she were so patient in real life.)

You have to be pretty careful–almost everything she overhears is fodder for play. The other day, she asked me if  I could please pick her babies up from preschool so she could go “watch the game with Dave.” (Ahem.)

It’s an interesting developmenal stage–one that provides a fascinating glimpse into her little (and very busy) mind.

Ava wanted to take Elmo to preschool earlier this week. When we finally located him, he was covered in–what else–Elmo Band-Aids. Ava spends most of her time pretending to be a doctor. When you visit her clinic conveniently located on the stairs, she says, “Thank you for waiting.” Then, she immediately gives you a shot and a Band-Aid. Or four or five. Or in the case of poor Elmo here, 17.                                                                                                                          

Ava officially turned three today. She took chocolate chip cookies to preschool, and despite the fact that she said her “feelings hurt” because I had to go to work, she actually had a great day without any tears.

Tonight we took her out to dinner for macaroni and cheese. The servers sang “Happy Birthday” and brought her a huge dessert. When we got home, she opened one last present–the kite she’s had her eye on for weeks.

There were a couple of slight kite-related catastrophes…

But Ava recovered very quickly and had a great night. Thank goodness the terrible twos are a thing of the past!