I SPY (with a 3 year old)

Adrian, "Mumma, let's play tag!!!"

We were hanging out at home.  Finley was having a nap.  It was a clear that it would be a no nap day for Adrian however.  On these blessedly tortuous long days between the hours of 1 and 3 I enforce quiet time.  This usually includes one of all of the following: baking, crafting or watching a movie.  I call them 'calm activities'.  Calm activities do not involve my son stampeding like a wild animal through the house yelling "COME GET ME MUMMA!' or 'YOU'RE IT!'

I gave him 'the look'.  All Mother's have 'the look'.  Eyebrow raised, frowned mouth.

It's very attractive.

"How about I SPY?  That's a calm game right?" You see?  Although he's of the tender age of 3.5 he knows better.  

"Sure is bud."

"I spy with my little eye something ... that is.... white."

I look around.

I'm about to guess.

"I'll give you a hint!"

            .5 second pause

                                       "It's the kleenex!"

"Adrian, I'm supposed to guess what it is first.  You're not supposed to give hints."

"You give hints."  Well, yes I do...because he's three. And that's what it is.  A hint.  I don't outright give him the answer.

Oh, I have so much to teach him.

My turn.  "I spy with my little eye something that is brown."

Adrian, peering all around the room. "I don't see anything that's brown."

Really???  Our entire house is brown.  Brown wood floors, brown coffee table, brown kitchen table, brown hutch, brown leather couches.  In fact I happened to be wearing brown pants.

NO BROWN?!

"Oh, I know.  The couch."

And, whaddya know, he was right.

Not bad.  Maybe I don't have to teach him so much after all.

Me, "I spy with my little eye something that is pink."

Adrian, "I don't see anything that is pink (I'm wearing a pink shirt) anyway, it's my turn."

Ooohh-kay.

And so he was right.  Again.

He leans down and picks up his Spider-Man mask that was laying at his feet.

He holds it an inch from my face all scrunched up in his little fist.

"I spy with my little eye something that is black.  And white."

He's now dangling the mask.

It's pretty much touching my nose.

I peer around the mask and look at his face.

It's full of anticipation awaiting my guess.  Big blue eyes on me, eyebrows raised to the sky...waiting...

I have no idea what it could be!

He bursts out his last clue, his voice full of sweet enthusiasm....

"And red!"