Follow the leader

Have you ever heard of this children's game? According to Wikipedia, "First a leader or "head of the line" is chosen, then the children all line up behind the leader. The leader then moves around and all the children have to mimic the leader's actions. Any players who mess up or do not do what the leader does are out of the game. The last person standing other than the leader is now the new leader."

All I'm saying is that Xavier follows Alannah, but then again, that what most younger siblings do. Although if you have seen Alannah play with other children and others, we pretty much know who is deciding who what to do. She has a way of influencing others on what to do and/or what to say.

Today, she got sent to the naughty corner for wanting to be the first to go out and play. She was not ready to go out, as it was a cold morning. Xavier got his jacket and wellies on and she carried on for not being the first even though she was just wearing a skirt and a top. After all the hoopla, she decided not to go out. Maybe to prove a point:

"Why were you at the naughty corner?"
"Coz I didn't listen."
"You always go first, Xavier can have a turn to be first, every now and then"
"I am not going out anymore."

She played in her room and Xavier came back inside as it was not as fun as with big sis. He had a nap instead while she gave her room a 'make-over.' And she said that needs to get used to the look of the corner as stuff on top of the shelf are no longer as high as before.

When she asked me to draw with her before going to bed, I was making small patterns and she said "Hmmm, I like the details on that." Creative and a leader. No pressure here.

BTW, our naughty corner is the same corner where they eat ice cream, or eat anything 'special.' This is also where they say good-bye to me in the mornings when I go to work and welcome me back at night when I arrive. No stigma attached to the naughty corner.