Ponies change their names (And other lessons from a 4-year old)

It may surprise you to learn that My Little Ponies change their name upon reaching their sixth birthday.

It surprised me, at least.

The Pony Formerly Known as "Pinkie Pie" is now "Balloons," "Cheerilee" is now "Cherry Blossom," and the irrepressible "Star Song" will heretofore be known as, "Rock Star."

Just when I was no longer being chastised for confusing Toola-Roola with Scootaloo.

Such is the education of a father of a four-year with a mind blossoming before our eyes.  Hardly a bath goes by without Aislynn regaling me with a made-from-scratch story about her plastic submarine bath toy she named "Soapy the Submarine."  Usually some other friends ("Thomas the Tugboat" and the aforementioned Pinkie P -er- "Balloons," notable among them) must overcome harrowing obstacles in order to reach Soapy's house for a party.  Miraculously, they seem to emerge victorious each time the plug is pulled to drain the tub.

Then there's our nightly devotional reading, "I Can Learn about God."  At the end of each paragraph-length story, I ask a question to see if Aislynn has been paying attention.  Tonight we read about how God punished Adam and Eve for disobeying him by banishing them from Eden.  After we finished, I asked, "Aislynn, how did God punish Adam and Eve?"  To which she replied, "He gave them a time-out."  Nothing like a little personal experience application to instill understanding.

The wife and I have written before about the reason we have a deeper appreciation for such examples of mental development, and I won't belabor the point here.  We're grateful for her teaching us about everything from pony nomenclature to the "Spanish" word for "catch."  (Not sure she's accurate there.  Also not sure if Dora the Explorer is the best tutor.)

We're somewhat less enthusiastic about her increasing awareness of her status relative to little sis.  As you recall, 2-year old Isla at one time not too long ago enjoyed reign of the house over older, bigger Aislynn.  It was commonplace for the younger to simply walk up to and take a toy from the older with a gentle shove, which would send the ever-subtle Aislynn running up the stairs while yelling, "Whooooaaah!  Isla!  Don't push me up the stairs!"

Now, big sis is reclaiming her territory.  Isla is now met with stern reprimand simply for being at the wrong place at the wrong time.  Yesterday's round of princess hopscotch more closely resembled a theatrical blocking rehearsal, with Aislynn directing Isla where, when and how to stand.  And there's the all-too-often-followed suggestion by Aislynn that Isla be sent to timeout for disobedience.

It's safe to say I'm not the only one learning a few things from Aislynn.

All of which is perfectly normal for two girls under the age of five sharing the same roof.  It's a great course to take, and I'm glad class is in session every night I come home.

You feel me?



AF

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