With the door barely having closed behind him, Xavier was making a bee-line for the tea table. Finding its fresh white tablecloth, teacups and extra dishes put away, and the absence of his Ava and Andrea, he looked at me quizzically and asked, "Grammy, where are the girls?" I directed him to the master bedroom, saying, "They're taking a rest in their bed. You can bring them in here." He ran straightaway to the room to find his dolly friends, propped serenely in their antiquated bassinet (circa early 1900's, found at an estate sale).
Emmaline, Lillamay, Andrea M'lynn, and Ava, having widely diverse backgrounds, are happy to have each other's company. If the 'baby girls' are absent from the crib, Ava and Andrea enjoy chatting together about tea parties and wonderful children that come to play at Grammy's house. If Andrea and Ava have been invited to a party in the other room, Lillamay comforts tiny Emmaline, as Lilla is referred to as "Big Baby" and fairly able to cradle "little baby girl."
Meanwhile, Xavier's mommy was becoming quite nervous as he re-entered the keeping room with both his girls bundled up in an awfully awkward position, leaving a trail of tiny leather shoes behind him. I said, "Mommy, look at me...don't look at him...(smiling, I continued)...he is okay...this is what they are there for...play." Trying to relieve her anxiety, I had to continue to reassure her as he placed the dolls in their assigned chairs and proceeded to the hutch to gather the teacups and bowls (spilling china dishes onto the table) and spoons and forks (dropping onto the hearth for sorting)...all the necessities.
Side note to reader: Many years ago, while working towards my degree in Early Childhood Education, I took a course on Play. Yes, it was in the curriculum to learn how to inspire play, providing children with "Guided Discovery" (a term which refers to allowing the child to try things on their own, seeking help as they realize they need it, and then gently guiding, with as little assistance as possible, towards a solution.)
You cannot imagine how difficult this was for me...as I tended to want to help, before the pupil knew they needed help. I am learning, slowly, to allow my grandson to play with abandon...without the restraints of Grammy's particular orderliness hovering over his imagination.
This was the result of Xavier's efforts to set his table and his girls in their seats...
To the unimaginative eye, it certainly looks a haphazard, willy-nilly display...but look closer...
Ava's placesetting...
She has a teacup of her own and the creamer to pour a cup of something hot.
This is what Ava sees, and she is most likely quite thankful for a pretty doily, placed so she can view its lovliness..
She has been given the book The Springs of Joy for her perusal over tea, and Andrea M'lynn is given
A Tale for Easter and a cup of her own.
Now, she may, of course, be feeling just a little cramped and uncomfortable, as her dress has not been neatly tucked under the table, but she is quite fond of the little boy who is waiting on their table. He seems so attentive to "his" details...the ones most necessary, assigned seats, a cup for each girl, and a nice book to read . He also receives great satisfaction knowing that his retired 'paci' remains in the basket, along with a baby sock that lost its partner when he was a baby. Grammy and Big Daddy are sentimental like that. As time was running out and play would have to cease, he asked one last request as he scooped up his Scouty-Scout (his name for our little yorkie who loves to lick his little fingers), "Grammy, take our picture!"
Meanwhile, Xavier's mommy was becoming quite nervous as he re-entered the keeping room with both his girls bundled up in an awfully awkward position, leaving a trail of tiny leather shoes behind him. I said, "Mommy, look at me...don't look at him...(smiling, I continued)...he is okay...this is what they are there for...play." Trying to relieve her anxiety, I had to continue to reassure her as he placed the dolls in their assigned chairs and proceeded to the hutch to gather the teacups and bowls (spilling china dishes onto the table) and spoons and forks (dropping onto the hearth for sorting)...all the necessities.
Side note to reader: Many years ago, while working towards my degree in Early Childhood Education, I took a course on Play. Yes, it was in the curriculum to learn how to inspire play, providing children with "Guided Discovery" (a term which refers to allowing the child to try things on their own, seeking help as they realize they need it, and then gently guiding, with as little assistance as possible, towards a solution.)
You cannot imagine how difficult this was for me...as I tended to want to help, before the pupil knew they needed help. I am learning, slowly, to allow my grandson to play with abandon...without the restraints of Grammy's particular orderliness hovering over his imagination.
This was the result of Xavier's efforts to set his table and his girls in their seats...
Ava's placesetting...
This is what Ava sees, and she is most likely quite thankful for a pretty doily, placed so she can view its lovliness..
A Tale for Easter and a cup of her own.
He and his mommy left for the afternoon, after kisses and hugs and waves.
As I returned to look over the objects of his play, this was the scene I found on the hearth.
Junior sized silverware...placed into ordered groups beside handkerchiefs used as napkins...didn't quite make it to the tea table, as play was stopped mid-stream.
Grammy has learned some great lessons along the way. Xavier is a patient teacher.