"I Ride A Horsey?

As I wrote in "It's OK!!", there are many things that may frighten or overwhelm Jacob. But there are a few of those same things that he can't help but love (or at least be intrigued by) at the same time.

The mall in our city has a carousel in the food court. Also in the food court is a children's play area with hard foam bridges, frogs, a tree, tent, etc for the kiddoes to climb on. For as long as that carousel has been there, Jacob has been mesmerized by it. If I try to encourage him to run and play on any of the play equipment, he will have none of it. He wants to sit on the bench nearest the carousel and watch in awe.

But at the same time the lights, the spinning, the music is overwhelming for him. But he just can't help himself. He loves that thing. It has taken many baby steps to get him to ride the carousel. I've said many "It's Ok's" and even made up a goofy song I call "Riding My Horsey". (I named it that because it is a one line song repeated overand over!) Yet still he will not actually RIDE the horsey! We have to sit in one of the spinners.

But get within 2 miles of that mall and all you will hear is, "I ride a horsey? I ride a ride a ride a horsey?" Chattered over and over souding just like an auctioneer.

The same goes for the horsey ride at our local Hy-Vee. From the moment we pull in the parking lot, it's all about "I ride a horsey?" until we leave. You could spend an hour grocery shopping and you'd hear it the whole time. (Except for when he breaks to gobble the free cookies the kids get at the bakery or requests for balloons from the floral shop!) But, if as you are walking out the door you try to see if maybe this time he REALLY DOES want to ride the horsey, and try to put him on it??? TOTAL MAYHEM ensues! Screaming, crying, kicking, and "All done, all done!!"

So we pretend to be oblivious to the stern-faced onlookers and head out to the car. And all the way there, and all the way home its: "I ride a horsey?"