I've just returned from a three day play date with my 4 year old nephew. That kid is all boy. One moment he's building a multi-level block air control tower for his airplane collection and the next he is suited up in cowboy garb, thrilled by his fan-induced vibrato voice as he sings "Go Speed Racer, Go Speed Racer, Go Speed Racer, Gowowowowowo!"
Together at the beach we passed the time as Sea Monsters who, after conquering wave Pirates, eat stinky feet, because that is what Sea Monsters do. Later we turn the table and are Pirates running from the incoming Sea Monsters waves as they lap at our smelly toes.
I've learned that I admire the mind of a four year old whose imagination transforms anyone into anything. For example, after a Florida rain shower, the two of us took off our shoes off and jumped puddles in the driveway. There we discovered itty bitty baby-sized puddles which barely got our feet wet, all the way to mondo daddy-sized puddles filled with gooberdinks, what-nots, and astronauts, all of which needed our help to be splashed out and launched into space and onto our heads.
And how is it when a four year old counts down "3-2-1 blast off" a yucky sprig of broccoli suddenly becomes a rocket ship which, with many twists and turns, miraculously enters the black hole gullet?
Or why can a four year old cowboy easily swap a horse to mount a ceramic chicken?
I believe sometimes I work too hard on being adult and forget to tap into the all the possibilities of cardboard boxes and sticks. Hopefully the next time I run into a creative attitude problem, I will think of my nephew and remember to think as he does.
Ride 'em Rooster!
