Playing Games

While we were in England Eli started this new game.  We would set him on the ground with a ball, and he would kick or hit the ball, then crawl after it, then kick or hit it again, then crawl after it.  He did this for a while one afternoon, eventually going in one big circle.  His Great Nan noticed how much he enjoys balls and got him some smaller ones that are the perfect size and weight for him to throw.  He's got pretty good upper body strength for his size.  Maybe it was those sports sheets he was sleeping on, but knocking the ball and then crawling after it is definitely one of his favorite things to do.

He's also started this other game, which we find puzzling but amusing.  One day I was sitting on a low stool with Eli on the floor in front of me when I noticed him pushing a toy man through my legs to other side.  He would push it as far as he could reach then sit back up, look, and crawl through my leg to grab the toy.  Then he would do it again, push the toy as far through my legs as he could reach, sit up, look at the toy, then go crawl for for it.  He's definitely at some strange stage where he likes to put things in certain places.  If I try to move the object, then he'll take it from me and put it back where it was, usually in some small dark crevice that he has to squeeze himself into.

He also enjoys playing "Pattycake" and "Round and round the Garden."  He'll start clapping as soon as you say "pattycake" and will throw his hands in the air at the correct part, all on his own.  He'll also take his pointer finger and set it on his palm when you start the "round and round the garden" song.