Ben has been flexing his imagination muscles lately. He's really big into roleplaying the various characters that he sees in cartoons. It can be fun, and fascinating, too.
It really began a few days ago, when I came home to discover that Mommy - who was cooking hamburgers - had been cast in the role of that most delightful of sea creatures, Spongebob Squarepants. She was busily preparing "crabby patties" for her customer (Benjamin). Daddy became Spongebob's sidekick, Patrick (a giant, pink starfish of questionable intelligence, for those of you not acquainted with the show). I put on my best Patrick voice, which delighted Ben and wowed Mommy; I'm not sure if it's a good thing that I can play stupid so well. Actually, initially, Ben cast me as Spongebob's miserly manager, Mr. Krabs; I guess I didn't do the voice well enough, or maybe I'm so spendy that Ben just couldn't see me in the part. Playing the roll of Mr. Krabs diminutive arch nemesis, Plankton, was none other than our little Joshua.
Ben likes to cast Josh in the roll of the little guy. Tonight's roleplay was "Dora the Explorer," with Ben playing the lead role of Dora (it's nice to know that Ben is sufficiently secure in his masculinity that he doesn't mind playing feminine roles). Daddy and mommy played Dora's daddy and mommy, respectively. Of course, Josh got the part of Boots, Dora's little, purple, boot-loving, monkey sidekick; I don't think he was aware that he had a part.
It is fun to see Ben imagine, and it is fun to see him play out roles. I don't mind making too much of a fool of myself, on occasion, to help make Ben smile. It's wondeful to see him laugh when I do a voice, or say something one of his heroes would say. I love watching him walk the fine line between imaginary and real, as he tries to stay in character, insisting that we call him "Dora" and so forth, and correcting himself when he starts to slip back into being Benjamin.
I think that is one of the best things about being a parent: watching your children grow and develop mentally. I take such pleasure in watching Ben, and now Josh, develop personalities, a sense of humor, opinions, creativity; what a wonderful blessing it is.
11:17:46 PM 
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