All of a sudden, we heard a sob followed by, "LEEEAAAVVVEEESSS!!!!!" Then, she began to cry.
We figured out that she wanted to go outside and get some leaves. Since it was dark, rainy and cold, Huzbend went outside and picked one up for her. I patted it dry and gave it to her. She carried it around with her for about ten minutes (a long time for a toddler to carry a leaf) before dropping it on the living room floor. Our guess is that she wanted to save it.
She's noticed the leaves falling out of the trees. I've explained to her a few times that the leaves change color and fall out of the trees when it gets colder. They go Bye-Bye for the winter and then grow back in the Spring. She'll see that when it gets warmer they'll start out as Baby Leaves (buds) and then grow and grow and grow until they are great big green leaves again.
I think that she is sad that the leaves are falling off the trees. Maybe she thinks it hurts them somehow. Her little heart is breaking for the leaves.
Yesterday, before a car trip she had to pick up two leaves to take on the trip with us.
Now, how am I going to explain when we pack all the leaves up into the yard waste bin to be taken away by the garbage truck? Sigh.
I guess we'll know we're really in trouble when she starts naming them.
