Fun & Games

Bedtime was a traumatic battle of wills tonight.  Daddy reports that nap time led to a similar battle.  So while soaking in a hot tub while my son screamed himself to sleep, I thought about the games Daniel enjoys.  Many of these have been documented in previous posts, but they are still favorites.

What Are You Doing?
This game is initiated with the question "what-r doing?" (months ago the question was simply "doing?").  I reply with whatever I happen to be doing: driving the car, making dinner, trying to have a conversation with your dad, sitting with you while you fall asleep, etc.  Then ask Daniel, "What are you doing?"  His reply is invariably "speaking."  To which I respond by asking "Are you speaking with me? Oh wonderful! I love speaking with you."

Dark Here
To play this game, we need to go some place dark.  Daniel's bedroom closet is an ideal spot but under a blanket or behind a hat works too.  Participants are not all required to be in the dark place simultaneously and after Daniel proclaims "Dark here!" your role in the game is flexible.  You can:
     a) agree that it is "Dark here"
     b) find another location where it is dark
     c) revisit the original location

Name That Tune
Daniel sings the first words (or word) of a song and you guess it and continue singing.  He particularly likes to sing "whennnnn" because this word could be the beginning of the "Fireman Sam" theme ("when he hears that fire alarm...") or "When You Wish Upon a Star".  If you guess incorrectly, Daniel will sing a few more words to clarify.  If you pause, he will often sing the next few words.

Jump On Bed
Pretty self-explanatory - Daniel jumps on Mommy and Daddy's bed.  If you help him to jump higher, great.  If you sing "see how I'm jumping, jumping, jumping", awesome.  The key to this game appears to be never ending it.  Daniel often requests a round of "Jump on bed!" while Jarl and I are finishing our dinners.  If we explain that we're still eating or trying to talk or just don't feel like jumping, the volume of the request is increased.  Sometimes tears are added or he will ask another person - if he started with Mommy, he'll move to Daddy and pull you room-ward.

Grocery Store
Daniel makes many trips to the grocery store.  Usually we shop at Target because it has groceries, diapers, inexpensive clothing in one convenient location.  Daniel points out the Target logo wherever he sees it: a sign in the parking lot, flyer in the mail, box of raisins, saying "grocery store".  When we get in the car and the destination is unclear (or sometimes even if it's been announced), he will recommend that we go to "grocery store".

What Day Is It?
Our weeks follow a general pattern:
     Mondays - Daddy is in class and Mommy is home
     Tuesdays - kid gym
     Wednesdays - Grandma & Grandpa Tidd visit
     Fridays - music class on Fridays
     Sundays - breakfast at a restaurant

Daniel likes to ask about certain activities and hear when they will happen.  For instance, "Mu-sik class?" is answered with "We'll have music class on Friday.  That's next week/tomorrow/in a few days."  Once the time frame is established, Daniel will confirm additional details of said activity.  "Mu-sik class" is coupled with "Pizza!" because we pick up pizza after class.  "Grandpa Tom" may be combined with "French fries" or "Museum" or "G-P-S!"