Pretend that . . .

Yesterday Carter was playing with his friend Mason and I overheard them playing and picked up on a few things that just made me smile and value the innocence of children.  I think I understand the scriptures better when watching my kids play.  That whole 'peace and joy and good will to men' thing seems to be so easily understood when thinking about a child.  They will do anything to please someone else and always have the best views of other people.  

While Carter and Mason were playing I heard Carter start to pray and sweet little Mason offer his amens to Carter's prayer.  They also used the phrase "Pretend that . . ." quite often.  I remember using prayer in my play as a kid and also using the phrase 'pretend that.'  I distinctly remember riding my bike in the driveway in Kanesville thinking "Why do we say 'pretend that'?  It's such an unusual thing to say.  Why don't we say flat out what we are pretending to be?  Why don't we say imagine? Why not say let's pretend?" 

It's odd that Carter is old enough to remember these types of things as an adult or that I remember being Carter's age.  It gives a new perspective to being a parent and a new perspective on my own parents. I wonder how Carter views me . . .