Necessity is the mother of invention

B has hit an age in which he's discovered the power of words and his creativity is soaring. Which is a wonderful thing-- can't tell you how often I've stepped back into the shadows to eavesdrop on a mission to outer space or a doctor's appointment with a sick stuffed animal.

But basically, since his imagination is moving nonstop, so is his mouth. That kid can talk. (and talk and talk and talk and talk.) And it's not just the kind of talk that you can tune out into the background-- he peppers it with questions which he expects you to answer. correctly. with no pauses or backpedalling.

Today I received a CD from a friend and really wanted to listen to it when we got home. Put it in but couldn't hear a single refrain from the lyrics because of a never ending stream of ideas erupting from B's mouth. And he was so earnest and so sweet-- you'll be happy to know I forced myself to put back the duct tape and rolled-up socks that had somehow magically appeared at my fingertips...

And just as I was about to lose my marbles-- EUREKA! it came to me! I turned the music up as loud as it would go and started running laps from the kitchen through the livingroom into the hall and back. The boys looked a little startled for a moment but then kicked off their socks and followed suit. And then the dog followed them! So I ended up playing a half-deranged pied piper with a band of giddy followers in a single-file line. It's too bad I don't have video footage to include here!

Am happy to say that this little party trick kept them happy and occupied for a full half hour! During which time I actually got to enjoy my CD, even if I could only hear about half the lyrics due to the doppler effect...