Want to Play?

One of the most charming things about young kids is the uninhibited way that they can become friends with someone at the drop of a hat and find someone to play with. For example, my friend Stephanie. Introduce her to another girl her age and within five minutes the girls will know each others' birthdays, favorite songs and email addresses. Of course, this is why we have to teach kids about "stranger danger," but there is a lot to recommend kids' openness.

Zeke got to make lots of new friends last week. The first photos are from the children's area of the Summer Shade Festival. Zeke had a wicked game of "I see you!" going with a little girl named Lucia. She was so great playing with him. She kept telling him, "Baby, you can come inside the house!"


Then at Fernbank, I tried to introduce Zeke to the idea of picnics. It was not successful. The wide open space of the terrace got to him. I ate, while he ran. He attracted the attention of these children who were eating inside. Zeke started a spontaneous game where he would run along one window, the children would follow, he would run back, the children would follow. This pattern was repeated many times, interrupted by occasionally tapping on either side of the window.