Fruit Salad, Yummy Yummy

Originally published at The Pandemonium Project. You can comment here or there.

Children’s songs are so catchy that I can’t say “Fruit Salad” without hearing this song.

Max, we’re entering the age of mimicry. It’s fascinating to watch you emulate everything that I do, like seeing my reflection in a hand mirror. Through exaggerated pantomime, I’m able to communicate requests for physical action, like hand-raising, patty-cake, and lying down. I wonder if this is the beginning of the age when children adopt the mannerisms of their parents.

This morning, at breakfast, you watched intently while I ate fruit salad. I offered a spoonful to you, but you weren’t interested; you just wanted to watch and mimic my hand and mouth gestures. I offered you food, but you weren’t hungry; you just wanted to practice.

It will feel like tomorrow when I teach you to drive your first car.