Sam and his "Snorts"

Earlier this week I was trying to cook dinner with both Sam and the two dogs underfoot. If you've seen my tiny kitchen, you'll know that there really isn't room for more than 1-2 people (using the term loosely in the case of Jack and Lily). Anyhow, after stepping on Jack for 3rd time and hauling Lily down from her attempts to check out the food on the counter, I was getting close to having a mini-freak-out. At that point, Sam grabbed a pair of tongs that I not only needed, but that were also dirty with grease and crumbs. Somehow, despite my fatigue and irritation with the dogs, I managed a chirpy "Why don't you play with these tongs instead?" and then showed him how he could use a less favored (and clean) pair to pick up various objects, like plastic eggs and matchbox cars.

I was thrilled when Sam took the bait and proceeded to play with 2 old sets of tongs for the next half hour. What I didn't anticipate was that they'd become his favorite playthings. Every night, he either asks for the tongs or moves a stepstool over to the sink so that he can fish them out of the dish drainer. From what I can tell, they remind him of a steam shovel, since he refers to them as his "snorts".* Aside from the fact that I've got to be even more careful than ever about not leaving anything dangerous in the dish drainer, I guess I can't complain. Manipulating the tongs is great for his dexterity, and playing with them keeps him happy and quiet right at a time when I'm trying to muddle through making dinner.

I will admit to being wary of one thing: eventually he's going to decide to torment the dogs in some way with the tongs. My best guess is that he'll try to grab Jack's nose or fur with them, particularly since Jack tends to be his target most of the time.**

As I write, Sam is using his snorts to serve me wooden beads from his toy frying pan. I'm not clear on what type of food they're supposed to be, but he gets quite delighted when I pretend to eat them.

*"Snorts" are what the baby bird calls a steam shovel in P.D. Eastman classic "Are You My Mother?"
**Lily is less fun to harrass, because despite her many more challenging personality traits, she is exceedingly gentle and patient with Sam, to the point of matyrdom. He can sit on her head, smother her in pillows, smack her in the nose, and she won't bat an eye. Meanwhile, if you step near Jack's feet he'll squeal like a stuck pig. Sam loves nothing more than getting in his face and freaking him out, mainly because Jack reacts so strongly. Keeps us on our toes, to say the least!