Little Bit's Got Game(s) Too

Several months ago, I blogged about some of Bub's more, um, creative games and pastimes. Little Bit is taking after Big Brother by inventing some of his own games . . .

I can't give definitive age, size, or strength requirements for any of these games but can let you know that Little Bit is a sturdy, strong, and fearless lad of nineteen months.

These games are best started while mom is doing something like taking an important phone call, using the bathroom, cleaning up, preparing a meal, or trying to get big brother ready for school.

Skillet Surfing
Materials Needed: skillets of various sizes, hardwood floors
Instructions:
1. Open drawer where mom keeps the skillets.
2. Drag skillets into living room (note, I did say "drag" -- important to try to scratch the floor whenever possible).
3. Place two skillets side by side.
4. Place one foot in each skillet.
5. Shimmy and shake as skillets slowly slide away from each other.
6. Continue in this fashion until mom removes you from skillets and thus ends the game.

Jailbreak
Materials Needed: open stairway where previous baby gate existed, assorted toiletries
Instructions:
1. Wait many, many months for your parents to remove gate blocking upstairs access so that drywall damage caused by that gate can be repaired in preparation for selling home.
2. Once gate has been removed, run upstairs as quickly as you can (extra points if your pregnant mom pees a little while chasing you) anytime you pass that previously-blocked staircase.
3. Make beeline for upstairs bathroom and see what you can grab (ideas include: dad's toothbrush, children's motrin--open it with your teeth, lidless jar of vaseline, lotion, tube of toothpaste, bar of soap, disposable razor).
4. Do as much damage as you can with chosen toiletry until your mom stops you (extra points if you can get your older brother involved to narrate and dramatize the events as they are happening).
5. You can return to step 1 again as soon as you wish. After all, the gate is gone now!

Potty Time
Materials Needed: toddler potty (preferably full), unlocked bathroom door
Instructions:
1. Notice that some fool has left the bathroom door open. Head inside.
2. Take the pieces of the toddler potty apart. Whether full or empty, attempt to carry the collector tray-thing to regular potty. Make sure to spill some.
3. Flush repeatedly (extra points for breaking the flusher-handle thing).
4. Warning: if you play this game too often, your parents will begin locking the bathroom at all times and keeping a key above the door. You will then need to be extra vigilant about sliding in when someone else wants to use the bathroom.

Variation: Starting at step 2, enter and sit down fully clothed on toddler potty (full or empty), giving parents just enough potty training hope that they are reluctant to put toddler potty away even though big brother can certainly manage without it. Say "poo" over and over, but do not actually poop.

Pick Mom's Nose
Materials Needed: mom with a nose, at least one digit
Instructions:
1. Sit on your mom's lap and pretend you want to cuddle.
2. While she is smiling at you, begin sticking your finger in her nose.
3. Giggle maniacally as you do so.
4. Stay persistent even if she tries to push your finger away and/or says to you, "No, you don't want to pick my nose." After all, you do want to pick her nose.

Pick Mom's Nose: X Games Edition
Materials Needed: mom with nose, at least one digit, towels
Instructions:
1. Play standard version of Pick Mom's Nose following rules above.
2. Try to catch mom off guard by jamming one little finger all the way up her nose with a great deal of force.
3. Look simultaneously confused and delighted when blood begins gushing from mom's nose.
4. Enjoy the show that ensues as your mom tries to catch the blood in her cupped palms while shouting to big brother to get her some towels already. It will be very funny when brother is foiled in his first attempt to get towels because the bathroom is locked (see "Potty Time" game above). It will be less funny when he returns from kitchen with two baby bibs before finally locating the kitchen towels.

Bam Bam
Materials Needed: kiddie broom, kiddie golf club, and/or kiddie bat
Instructions:
1. Choose your implement and begin by using for its intended purpose (sweeping or hitting a ball). Mom will initially be pleased to see you cleaning and/or showing an interest in sports and some hand/eye coordination.
2. Then, change gears. Begin to use implement to hit doors, floors, walls, furniture, your mom, or your brother.
3. The game is over once all the implements have been placed on top of the highest book shelf in the play room.

Tell me, what games are being played at your house these days? I'm hanging in there . . . but only by a thread so please humor me by sharing.