Friday, July 13, 2012

Little Miss Fun

When little Miss Fun comes to visit, the winter days are brightened.
We have Conversations.
She tells me about her 'friends'. One is called Rabbit, and the other 'Rainy Day'. That's handy. She'll be seeing a lot of that friend at the moment.
We make things. I was given one of her old socks to turn into a doll. In my button box I found some eyes - not matching, but she liked that. And a piece of ribbon that wanted to be cut into a smile. Some string for hair, and the rest of the sock left open so it could be a puppet. Another friend.
We dance, copying elegant ballet moves. 
We draw. This is Miss Blue Flower, with a friendly yellow cat nearby, and numbers and letters.
And we learn new words. We have conversations like this: 'But warm is hot as well.'
What do you do when you know there's a big gap where there should be a word? Why, you find another one to do the job. And so this book, which is another in a series that I've been giving her from time to time, brings about recognition. She has an important thing to say. 'This book is the same big.'
????
And then, because it's a grandmother's destiny to work out what is being meant even when it doesn't make sense, I suddenly get it: 'Oh yes, you are so right. It's exactly the same size as the other one at home, isn't it?'
And so a new word -'size' is learned.
Little Miss Fun and her friends brighten up the greyest of winter days.

11 comments:

Elisabeth said...

Splendid fun growing up with grandkids, Juliet. They can teach us so much.

Juliet said...

Elisabeth, it's a pleasure indeed, and I love getting these glimpses into how a young mind works to understand the world. Thank you.

Unknown said...

Just lovely!

lifeonthecutoff said...

Aren't you the lucky one to have so many friends come to visit, Juliet? The age of enchantment is so dear.

Juliet said...

Joan, I thought of you and your special Hobbiton day. Thank you.

Penny, I am so fortunate. It is an enchanted age indeed, and so precious. You know so well what that means. Thank you.

Hotly Spiced said...

What a precious time you've had with your granddaughter. I love her friends. And you were very creative in making her a new friend out of an old sock and a few bits and pieces. And even some humans have different coloured eyes! Don't you just love conversations with little people. The way they describe their world is so entertaining xx

Juliet said...

Hi Charlie, yes those conversations are priceless. I'm so fascinated by these glimpses into the mind of a little one. You and I were like this once. Thank you.

Anne Ruffell said...

I love these conversations - and how wonderful to have time to play with her properly in this age where the simple act of playing often seems to be neglected. She is a constant source of delight to us as well as we see her growing up. I always come away from the computer after reading these blogs with a good feeling and a smile on my lips.

Juliet said...

Anne, that's a lovely comment, thank you. You are so right that the simple act of playing is often overlooked. One of the pleasures of being a grandmother is having the time and inclination for pure play. She certainly is a delight, and full of surprises.

Anonymous said...

What a range of fun and games, learning and sharing you enjoyed with your wee one Juliet.

I love the ballet photos.

Juliet said...

Lynley, thank you. I'm amazed at how she copies the ballet poses, even though she hasn't learned it herself.