Welcome to the Jungle

Having Cassidy has been like a weird walk down memory lane. The kids look a whole lot alike, Cassidy is wearing hand-me-downs, and now we are introducing the old toys. I'd say it is dejavu all over again, except it is different. The reactions are different, and Cassidy, although still not mobile and pretty lump-like, has a whole different personality of her own. So I am stuck on it being more of us looking at how different things are this time around.

In that vein, we recently introduced Cassidy to The Jungle. I remember when Kendall got this toy. It was a Christmas gift when she was only a couple months old, and when it was opened, her face actually lit up with a huge smile. It was the only gift she actually reacted to.

With Cassidy, the jungle has been more of a gradual transition. I tried it earlier on this time thinking, Kendall totally dug this, maybe it will work earlier this time. No such luck. But with Cassidy starting to reach out, grab, and hold onto things, the jungle is finally working out again.

Kendall loved the giraffe. I would find her "talking" to the giraffe in the jungle, but with Cassidy, it is the parrot. She totally digs that bird. Where Kendall spent a lot of her time yelling at the stationary butterflies at the top (similar to her treatment of her minions), Cassidy just takes it all in stride, checks out all the toys and wiggles around to scoot to each toy and play. Cass could care less if those guys move, as long as she can check them out.

What was old is also new again in our house and Kendall wants to play with all of Cassidy's toys instead of her own. This causes some problems when she takes Cassidy's toys away from her and hides them, or lines them up just out of Cassidy's reach. But with the jungle, it kind of works out. They get to play together and Kendall helps to show Cassidy all the jungle has to offer. That is when she is not lining up all her ponies and princesses all around the jungle. But Cassidy enjoys that too. Anything her big sister will do with her she just loves.

The jungle also has the added bonus of entertaining them both for at least 10 minutes so I can get something else done. Or just drink coffee.