Obsessions

There was recently a topic on the ws listserve discussing our children's obessions. I think the most popular one was bugs. I loved the topic and got a kick out of seeing what other kids are obsessed with. The one I could relate to the most was the one where the mom said her son liked sticking things up his nose.....food, rolled up paper, etc. I died laughing as soon as I saw it because I can't tell you the things we've had to dig out of Payton's nose. She'll sit in the corner, tear some paper, roll it in a little ball and stick it up her nose. Even the sitter had to keep a close eye on her because when she was supposed to be laying down for a nap she'd sneak something in her bed with her and try to stick it up her nose. One day she evidently got away with it and on the way home she started her crying stretch (I've decided she has to do this to get everything out of her system from the day....although it does get a bit loud in the car :) Anyways, since she was crying her nose was ofcourse running. She'd evidently found part of a magazine and put it up her nose......as it was running out her nose I was trying to help her and not dry heave at the same time (I have a weak stomach when it comes to snot!). Ofcourse after I got her nose cleaned up I just laughed to myself because I couldn't imagine what was so great about sticking paper, corn, crumbs, etc up your nose.

Payton's other obsessions are spiders, snakes and the number eight. Last night as we were taking a walk there was a squashed baby snake in our road. I think she sat in the stroller and stared at it for 10 minutes. She was just amazed by it - a little dismayed that I wouldn't let her hold it or touch it - but she loved looking at it. In the night, she wakes up frequently saying spiders are on her and once I tell her I've gotten them, she'll usually go back to sleep - or continue saying "there's another one" until she goes back to sleep. It's funny because I think she likes them, yet hates them (kind of like how she hates the sound of a lawnmower, but yet has to see it). Bob was helping a friend of ours with his computer last night and once they were finished they came out and were watching the kids play. Payton was sitting up against the house looking at her legs and we asked her what she was doing. Her response..."there's spiders". We laughed and told Clayton that Payton is a bit obsessed with spiders, snakes and the number eight. He just laughed and then Bob asked Payton how many spiders there were. Payton started counting and said "One, two, three.....eight! Eight spiders!". Clayton couldn't believe it. And ofcourse, anytime we read a book she immediately has to turn to page eight. She gets so excited and throws her hands up in their air and says "look, it's eight!!!!".

I know the obsessions can get a bit old sometimes - but it's actually been a good way to teach her. Plus, it can also provide some good laughs!