It all started at a traffic light.
L. (2) is not the most patient person in the world, and when we’re in the car, he expects it to keep moving. Brief delays at stop signs are tolerated, but longer periods of motionlessness are not. If we’re stopped at a traffic light, L. is most likely saying, “Go. Go. Mama? GO!”
Being the lecturer rational explainer that I am, I attempted early on to convey the truth of the situation to my toddler. “See the red light, L.? Red means our car has to stop. When it turns green, we can go.”
At first, he wasn’t buying it, and would continue to scream exhort, “Go. Go! GO!!” from the backseat. But before long, he decided that instead of being a victim of red lights, he would be proactive, and actually do something about it.
The next time I sat in line at a red light, I heard a little voice from the back say, “1. 2. 3. Green!” And, as luck would have it, the light turned green that exact second.
L., needless to say, was thrilled. “Turn green! Turn green!”
“Yes,” I replied, “It did turn green. Good job!”
Now, as I’m sure you can guess, every time we’re delayed by a red light, L. says, “1, 2, 3, Green!” Sometimes his timing is spot-on. Other times, it doesn’t work and he has to try again. But usually in three or fewer attempts, he “makes” the light turn green. And he’s convinced that it’s all his doing.
His special brand of magic isn’t limited to traffic lights either.
We have a rather…um…old temperamental DVD player. Most of the time, we have to play a ridiculous game with it in order to watch a DVD.
We put the DVD in the player. The player spits it out.
We push it back in. The player freezes.
We turn the player off and back on. The player spits out the DVD.
Etc.
It can take anywhere from 2 to 10 rounds of this lovely interaction before the player finally gives in and plays the disc.
One day, L. was overcome with a desire to “help” during this strange and frustrating ritual he’d been observing. He parked himself in front of the DVD player and the next time the DVD was pushed back in, he put one finger on top of the player, and held it there.
Lo and behold, the disc played! That special L. magic was at work once again.
He’s very generous with his finger powers, too. Any time he notices trouble with the DVD player, he’s happy to go over and keep his finger carefully positioned on top of the player until we have movie success.
I know that one day, he’ll realize that he’s not really controlling the universe with his green-light chants and his cute little fingers. But for now, I smile every time it “works,” and enjoy the excitement revealed on his face. Besides, I’m pretty sure there’s some amount of magic going on. After all, my whole day brightens every time he laughs.
What a precious post. (I could use some of magic on my DVD player as well…) If you ever get a chance to post his giggle…
ooo So cute. L. has the magic touch and commands
I think that is so cute that he thinks he is changing the world. Those pictures are to cute for words!
So cute!!
I remember doing the same thing at traffic lights….and there are times now when I wish it really did work!
Wish I had those pictures for my pictue viewer. He could come be a magic maker for me. I get impatient, too. Love Mom
My sister and I used to blow at red lights to get them to turn green.
What cute pictures, and how funny to think that he has the power. Hey–power or not, if it works, keep encouraging it!
How cute. My sister and I used to do the same thing at green lights, only we were much older (like 4 & 6) but we still got a kick out of our perceived magic power! That look on his face is precious!! (I would love to know why the photo feature is not working on my laptop at home).
We taught my nephew to “blow” the light green too. That’s so funny. It’s the first thing I thought of when I read your post, and here it’s a pretty common theme.
Oh my – he’s just SO cute!
I always thought toddlers did control the world. They sure had me jumping when they wanted. LOL.
He is too fun!
Who’s to say there’s not a little bit of magic at work there? It definitely makes the world a more interesting place!
I love the photos of L.! He is just too cute.
I’m chuckling over here. When I’m at a red light, I keep saying to myself “turn green, turn green”
Many of our major intersections are 3 minute waits and that’s a really long time to sit and wait to go.
He is so precious! I now just buy the $25 DVD players. They last about 1 1/2 – 2 years. That way when my kids break them – I’m not mad.
Just stopping in to say that I extended an invitation to you…
http://seedlingsinstone.blogspot.com/2008/11/bite-of-pie-and-thanks.html
I fully understand impatience at red lights