When I was about 12, I cuddled a different stuffed animal every night. Using a list I had created, I kept track of each animal’s turn so that none of them would feel left out.
I mentioned this anecdote to Chloe a few weeks ago. Evidently, my obsessive-compulsive behavior inspired my big girl, because last week, she created her own list. And she laid out her animals just so, using Sophie’s old baby blankets for both covers and mattresses, and tissues for pillows. Her toys sleep dormitory-style on the floor.
Because the animals are on the floor, they often get knocked around. Every evening, Chloe lovingly ensures that they are back in their proper tissue beds, cozy and happy.
Her m.o., however, is a bit different from mine. Rather than limit them to cuddles at sleeptime, she has daytime buddies and nighttime buddies. And two separate lists, with all of the animals’ names meticulously written down. She’s very proud of her system, of course.
The apple really doesn’t fall far from the tree. I think I’ll refrain from telling her, at least for another 10 years or so, that I had a system to categorize my record and book collections.
