imagination makes it happen

elenora's imagination has just blossomed these past few weeks. we are up to at least 3-4 imaginary friends now. she still insists that she is frances ("i'm a badger.") and now there's ella, gloria, and mrs. ella. all of who are doing various things at various times. there is also her "new mother" and her "old mother," and her "new father" and her "old father." j. and i get commentary on who is doing what at different times of the day. if ella and i are out for a walk, she will tell me where gloria and ella and mrs. ella are. sometimes i have to carry one or both of them on our walks. sometimes they are back home with her "old father." yesterday j. and i took elenora to a park in manchester by the sea and she informed us that her old father was at work and her new mother was at home playing a memory game with gloria.

she's also using her toys in very imaginative ways. we've had elaborate pretend play using things like her toy dishes and toy food. and she is very sweet with her stuffed animals and dolls.

here is a photo of a pretend meal she made with toast with honey and butter and tea.

(i love that she thinks to get the coasters to put under the glasses!)

notice that she says "and i think i need a little cake on my toast."

here she is with her dolly hannah in her high chair. she was feeding hannah a whole dinner.