Pocket Monkey

Kids seem to get the strangest obsessions as they grow. It seems like it changes every day too. As Alex has grown, he has now become quite the little character. He is constantly pretending things. Lately he has taken to a new 'imaginary friend'. I'm not sure it is really a friend, but that is the best thing I can call it. He will walk around with his palm facing up like he is caring something every so gently. It fools me quite often. Sometimes I really do think he is carrying something. When you ask him what he is carrying he will tell you that it is his lady bug named Floppy. But there is obviously no bug there. He actually will wake up in the mornings and come out of his room carrying his imaginary bug. It's cute. One of the other things that has developed, is his awareness of pockets. He loves love LOVES his pockets. True to little boy nature, he puts everything he can find into his pockets. Sometimes I find things that I have absolutely no idea what it is or where on Earth he got it. Rocks, twigs, pennies, bottle caps, bits of trash, plastic chunks...the list goes on. The funny part of this is that I never remember to check his pockets before I do laundry. So it has become part of my normal routine to check the washer/dryer after laundry is done and see what I can find floating haphazardly in the bottom of the machine. Each laundry day makes for yet another handful of surprises. I've even found a dollar bill and an old cellphone in there. I took a picture of one of my 'hauls'. It makes me smile when I see those random knick-knacks in the washer. I'll be interested to see what I'll find in there when Abby discovers pockets. I have a feeling she will follow every so closely in her brother's footsteps when it comes to this. It's only a matter of time before my laundry treasure hunt doubles in size from two pocket monkeys.

This is what I found after just own load of laundry. Funny thing...the dinosaur has been through the wash at least three times now. It must be a favorite.