One of the best parts of toddlerhood I'm learning is watching Esme really engage in and play with her toys. She puts her all into it, and by bathtime she's pooped after a hard day's play. She's given her favorites names, so when she's in need of assistance or would just like you to join in, she can be very direct about it. "Choo, choo" (delivered in falsetto à la a real choo choo, I suppose) means please set my trains up, for example.
Reading is one of Esme's favorite activities. She is forever carrying books over to me, tugging on my pant leg and looking up at me with an inquisitive, "Book?" I indulge her every time, of course, and am amazed at her ability to sit through even the more sophisticated stories. I can't help but take some of the credit. After all, she spent her early nursing career watching me read the entire Harry Potter series back to back. But more likely she's just that kind of kid.
Tea parties are another favorite, and I suspect she inherited the tea gene from Nana. She spends much of the day setting up her tea service (she has two) and moving it around. Often the stuffed snowman she pinched from Sara and Pop's is invited. Though she does seem to get very frustrated by the fact that once he's seated in his chair she can't see him from hers-- makes for very dull company, I suppose. I too have had the honor of taking tea with the girl. She's a wonderful host and never seems to tire of toasting. This is a skill our good friend Lori taught her months ago. She clinks cups with exuberance, yelling "Cheers!" every time.
