Mimicry

He said I've been watching you dad, ain't that cool
I'm your buckaroo, I wanna be like you
And eat all my food and grow as tall as you are
We got cowboy boots and camo pants
Yeah we're just alike, hey ain't we dad
I wanna do everything you do
So I've been watching you

- Rodney Atkins "Watching You"

Andrew has already showed that he is "watching us." The most gratifying mimicry, which is also described in the Rodney Atkins song, is that Andrew knows prayer. He knows the word triggers; he'll immediately fold his arms if you say prayer, or even Heavenly Father. He knows that prayer ends when people say amen. He also knows when we are supposed to pray; Andrew will not let us start eating before we pray at mealtime.

Charades on New Years Eve demonstrated Andrew's understanding of what he is watching.  My extended family was playing charades while waiting for the clock to tick down to midnight last night.  Michael had a Tupperware full of slips of paper; we all took turns choosing and then acting out the words that were listed. Andrew watched for several minutes fascinated. Then, he decided that he was going to participate. Andrew toddled over to the Tupperware and picked out a folded piece of paper. He proceeded to unfold it, and look at it like everyone else had. After a few seconds of thought Andrew moved into the middle of the room. He then put his hands together and made sword swiping movements.  The phrases that immediately came to my mind included both, "So cute!" and "Wow, I did not expect that!"

It does make me wonder in what other ways is Andrew more cognizant than I give him credit for. As Andrew gets older I think about what Andrew is learning as he watches me.  Am I demonstrating good habits? Am I using words that I want him to say?  What is he thinking, what is he learning, by my daily actions?