When 5yr old E plays with crayons, I watch in fascination as her inner artist emerges. She takes 6 crayons at once and tucks each one between the fingers of her left hand, while coloring with one in the right. When she needs to switch colors she never puts one down, she just tucks it behind a different finger and chooses a different color. It is exactly what I’ve seen artists do with multiple paint brushes.
The other day at dinner I comment on this to Kerry. “You know why she does that, right?” she asks.
“No,” I say.
“She doesn’t want anyone to take her crayons if she puts them down.”
I realize that she’s correct. Oh well, I like my interpretation better.