"Papa-land" is actually funny because I use it with "the girls" (our little granddaughters) and the 3+ year old Maria - who is a born wit - has grasped the humor (such as it is) and has taken it up herself. The girls usually play together when they come to our house on Sundays and Mondays, but sometimes Maria is doing a project at the table while Anna is on Eileen's lap having a book read to her (or some other arrangement) and I'll say, "What's happening in Maria-land?" Without missing a beat, Maria responds, "I'm painting!" Then she'll look at her sister and say, "What's happening in Anna-land?"
She "gets" my humor, and already has her own quips, observations, and ways of teasing Papa. We banter about things. I enjoy reading to her and "explaining" some of the background of the stories, which she usually finds engaging. Meanwhile Anna is already clearly her own person. She's mellow and sweet (at least when she's with us), and always ready to smile and give hugs. She doesn't say much (yet), but when she sees something that catches her interest, she focuses on it and moves toward it to check it out. Like most one-year-old toddlers, she has a surprising quickness in moving and grabbing things. One can't take one's eyes off her for a minute when she's crawling (and now just beginning to walk) in a room. We surround her with lots of toys, but she'll grab my water bottle if I do much as blink.
Of course, Big Sister is never too far away, and she takes care of Anna. Maria talks to her and explains things to her; she has already embraced her mentorship role.
Their parents are doing very well raising them. To me, their Papa, they are an astonishing gift. I hope that I can "share their dreams" for a future that will probably span the rest of this century. How will their lives unfold and develop? I don't know, but I’m amazed and grateful that they’re here now:
I tried to make a little video with Anna. This is already a few weeks old (right after her first birthday on November 28). She starts talking to the camera near the end of this video, and shows us a little of what "Anna-land" is all about:
