Big Brother in Training

I always thought I wouldn't want my kids to have an army of stuffed animals. Actually I still don't want that. Charlie has a small collection and I would like to keep it that way. My negative opinion about stuffed animals has recently shifted a bit as I see Charlie starting to have some serious imaginative play with them. I've always known that these types of toys would provide Charlie with more enlightening experiences than anything electronic that claims to teach the ABCs

Charlie's favorite animal is his giraffe who we just call Giraffe. Also, Charlie has never been particularly clingy to any one animal, toy, or personal item. So starting a couple days ago we started using giraffe in our bedtime routine. We'd pretend to give giraffe milk and brush his teeth then Charlie in turn, would be more excited about these activities. 

A couple days later Charlie kept Giraffe with him all day long and made sure Giraffe had a chance in participating in all the activities that Charlie enjoys. Charlie laid down with Giraffe for a nap, (after wrapping him up in a blanket) 

Charlie also showed giraffe his favorite games on my phone and held Giraffe's hand as he attempted to let Giraffe push the buttons...(which doesn't really work in the days of touchscreens) 

(I've included some blurry phone photos to spice up this blog post) 

He helped Giraffe play with his toys

HE made sure Giraffe got food to eat. 

 He brought out a loaf of bread. and tried to put a piece in Giraffe's hand, then to his mouth. When giraffe didn't eat it, Charlie gobbled it down.

 Charlie brushed Giraffe's hair.

... and made sure he got his vegetables

Later, Charlie brought over a chair for Giraffe and looked at his favorite animal book with him. 

Later he tried to put a diaper on giraffe and of course give him milk to drink. 

These other pictures are from a couple weeks earlier when Charlie was trying to coach Giraffe. 

He set up Giraffe with the work out bands then stood by him and started doing squats. 

Another time, Charlie was practicing push ups in his bed then set Giraffe up to do push ups!

The thing I love most about this is that Charlie has learned most of these things from observing the way I take care of him. I also love seeing how patient and sweet he is with his Giraffe. I can only hope this is a glimpse of how he will be with his baby brother.