Best Friends

Jack Truck. Dump Truck Dan.
Best friends, Jack and Dan.

So begins one of John's current favorite books (Smash! Crash! by Jon Scieszka). While I wouldn't label it as great literature, it seems to captivate his attention for more than the rhythmic verse. Jack and Dan make their own fun, wherever they go, by sharing a love for "smash crash." Every situation is a new opportunity to smash and crash something, as they just enjoy being together with their best friend.

I can't help but think of this book when I watch John and Maggie play together right now. Sure, they fight, like any siblings. But on the whole, they really are best friends like Jack and Dan. They can pretend play together, endlessly. I am not sure if it is just the right ages - I don't recall if James and Maggie had this much fun together when they were 6 and 3. But whether it is a phase for Maggie and John, or a sign of lifelong kindred spirits, it sure is fun to watch.

Yesterday evening, while the rest of us laid about the living room semi-comatose, John and Maggie were once again making their own fun together. Their two booster seats from the car were in the living room, so they moved throw rugs from around the house together and made a "car" to put their seats in. Then, they spent well over an hour laughing uproariously as they "drove" around.

First, they sat side-by-side in the boosters, and shared imaginary car snacks. They got more and more inventive about the kinds of foods they dream of being able to gorge on during a car trip.

• "I have goldfish crackers."
• "Here, you can share my grapes."
• "Do you want some candy?"
• "Let's have ice cream!"

Each new food brought a new round of contented smiles.

After the food, they began planning longer and more exotic trips. It was fun to hear their concepts of time and distance. "Let's take a really long trip! We will go for a MILE. It will take 15 minutes!"

Next, they took turns scooting forward and being the driver. John would say, "Here comes a BIG turn!" and they would both lean way to the side as John spun the imaginary wheel around and around, until Maggie eventually fell sideways out of her booster and they both erupted in giggles. John kept working harder and harder to drive outrageously. (And this is my kid who asks incessantly, "Why can't I drive? How many more years until I can drive? Well, then when can I drive a motorcycle?" He doesn't understand why my answer is usually, "Never.")

As I drifted in and out of an evening nap, it was delightful to hear them enjoying each other so throroughly. Best friends, Jack and Dan.


Post Script:
This morning was fun, too. Our alarm went off, and I stayed in bed nursing Helen. A few minutes later, I heard my door opening - usually a sign that John is about to climb in bed. However, no John appeared. Then I heard some whispering in the hallway. Finally, Maggie crept into my room and whispered, "Mom, I can't sleep any longer, and neither can John. Can I turn on my light and read some books to him?" Twenty minutes later, I found them contentedly snuggled on Maggie's double bed amidst a pile of picture books.