tawbubby

Last week it was my (Ethan’s) lucky turn to a 1-on-1 walk with Amelia. I decided to do something a little different. the houses on our street are at the edge of the neighborhood, and the next neighborhood has a mirroring street and set of houses. I decided to surprise Amelia by “sneaking up” on our house.

The conversation, went like this, long our walk.

E: I’m going to show you a surprise.
A: What is it?
E: It’s a surprise.
A: but I want you to tell me.
E: if I did it wouldn’t be a surprise.
…..
A: Where is the surprise? is it candy?
E: No, it’s just up ahead.
…..
A: Where are we going?
E: I think the surprise is behind this house.
A: can you carry me? I’m tired.
E: Sure.
…..
E: See that house?
A: Yeah.
E: that’s the surprise.
A: (smiling) let’s go see it.

[Amelia didn't recognize the back of our house at all. As you will see.]

E: Look at this house. What do you think?
A: Let’s go inside!

(We go though the back gate into this strange area, our own backyard).

E: See that window up there?
A: Yeah.
E: A little girl lives in that room.
A: What’s her name?
E: I think it’s Amelia!

(I think Amelia thought I was making up a story, like about a Princess Amelia or something)

A: They have a playhouse on their porch!
E: they do.
A: I want to go play in it.
E: Well, let’s look up here (walking towards the front yard).
A: They have a truck just like ours.
E: That’s true.
A: HEY! This is our house!

Amelia’s a pretty observant kid. I think she was totally thrown by this strange house. She doesn’t have a sense of direction, so she didn’t know we had looped back behind. And a familiar thing can look new from a different angle. The walk was a lot of fun.