What Toddlers Notice

James has always been a keen observer of the world. Any jet plane passing overhead or train whistle in the distance immediately draws his attention, usually with a "Look look! A plane!" At times, however, he simply does not notice things right in front of him which he is looking for. On Easter, we hid plastic eggs filled with candy around the living room and invited James to find them. He loved the game and enthusiastically searched for the eggs. And when I say we "hid" them, I mean that we set them on the table, couch, and floor in places where, were we to forget the game mid-action, we would either sit or step on them the following day. James found some, but often needed some direction in finding those that were right in front of him. Fortunately, his excitement in locating each egg was diminished in no way by these hints. What a joyous way to be.

The culminating example of this contrast between astute senses and obliviousness came earlier today when, while pushing him on a swing, he looked at me and said, as if it were a revelation, "Hey! You have a beard!"