The Dog Duo

A day does not go by in this house when a child of mine (or both) doesn't pretend to be a dog. It happens every. single. day. First is was mostly Jackson, but Belle has really picked up on this gig lately.

• They are typically Molly and Malcom (named for my parent's and brother's dogs, respectively) though Jackson will sometime be a Dalmatian. 
• While in dog-mode, it is imperative that I communicate with them using their dog names lest I be barked at and corrected.
• The kids dogs play fetch with each other. 
• The last time we visited my parent's house, Belle put on the leash that's outside by the tree and crawled around barking like a dog. I didn't take a picture as I could only imagine what the internet would say about me tying my child up to a tree. 

• On multiple occasions, I have had to remind my kids that they are pretend dogs and that it's not okay to lick me. Gross!!
• Lately, Belle is "Molly" more often than Belle. Tonight, she could be found crawling around with a dog bone (play french fry) in her mouth. She requests that I refer to her food as dog food, regardless of what I've cooked. She's become so clever as to not participate in clean-up, because she's a dog.
• I may have capitalized on Belle's instance on being a dog to explain that Molly doesn't wear a diaper. It hasn't seemed to make much difference, but if wanting to be like a dog, instead of just a big girl, is the motivation for potty training... I'm on board!
• Sometimes Jackson will lick the milk from his leftover cereal as a dog would drink water from a dish. 

There are many people (my brother included) who treat their dogs as little human babies. Me, on the other hand, continually have to treat my human babies as little dogs!! At least while they're dogs, they aren't whining to watch TV, so it's not so bad. And no one's asking to get a puppy... because we've already got two!

To Infinity and Beyond

So, I was able to get a video of Jackson as Buzz Lightyear. He was distracted by the camera and didn’t jump fly as much as normal, but it captures how much he really gets into the role… and how much this kid talks!!

So in case you didn’t follow along… this is how the casting goes.

First, Derek is Jessie. But then Jackson changes his mind and I become Jessie.

Then Derek becomes “not anything”, but Jackson decides Derek is the big dinosaur.

Belle is the pig {she’s normally the dinosaur, so this is new!}

And then I get switched to being “tato-head”

Being short on people, Jackson casts the chair as Woody.

And of course, Jackson is Buzz. He’s always Buzz through out most of every day.
{all images are from http://pixar.wikia.com}

He insists that his blanket be tied around his neck and he jumps from couch to ottoman to other couch and so forth for many, many times through out the day. One day Jackson is going to realize and be pretty disappointed that Buzz doesn’t actually have a cape. Oh, and Buzz never wears a shirt. Just the camp.

I am super glad I already picked up a Buzz costume that Jackson will get as a Christmas present. Something tells me that it will get a lot of use! I hope my couches and upholstered-coffee-table-turned-ottoman can survive the countless Buzz Lightyear flying attempts.

Jackson dug out this old motorcycle helmet we have lying around {which is up for grabs if anyone wants it!} and insisted on wearing it around. He loves the helmet and it surprisingly, well not too surprisingly—he has a big head, it fits him rather snug. He loves to flip the shield up and down. But one thing is for sure… it’s not very conducive to picking your nose.

And I of course had to take a picture before I told him to stop. Priorities!

Doctor Jackson

What do you need to play doctor? If you're two (and a half), all you need is a hanger and some stuffed animals (or a Grandma).

See him listening with his "stethoscope"?

And look at his long line of patients!

It was so cute to sit and watch him play doctor tonight. It's like a peek at how he views the world. He was listening to them and also looking in their ears and saying, "nope, not in there!"-- which is what the doctor said to him this week! She said she needed to see if the frog jumped in his ear and he sat so still for her to look! Jackson was also giving out lots of pokes, but band-aids too. Poor guy. That's all he thinks doctors do since we go every week.

But seriously, I'm so impressed with his imagination in using a hanger for a stethoscope/ear-checker-flashlight-thing/band-aid holder. (take that you nurse who thought he was behind on his pretend play!). I've never seen him play quite like that before. So cute.