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We were watching the Disney classic Alice in Wonderland last night (DS is currently obsessed with all things Alice). He said to me, "I have noticed that in cartoons, the things that have outlines are the things that move." I looked, and sure enough, the characters had black outlines and the nonmoving background stuff did not. Same thing on a modern cartoon. OK, perhaps this is common knowledge to people who know anything about cartooning (not me), but I was impressed by this observation. Anyone else find that their kiddos have amazing powers of observation or attention to detail? (Must add - this amazing power only works for something DS5 is interested in - if I tell him the shoe he's seeking is right in front of him, he will not see it.)

great story. I'm gonna look for the outlines

Same goes for my DS!

That's pretty cool! DS5 is very much the same. He notices the most bizarre things. Before he was 2 he pointed out to us that twinkle twinkle and ABC's were the "same song" We were shocked. It has continued from there. He notices everything (which is not always good). And I have to laugh about the shoe comment. That is hilarious! That is totally like my DS! He will not see something write in front of him. Yesterday I told him to put his black and red sneakers on. He comes back with a brown one and says "these?" I say "are those black?" he says "no." So I repeat the direction. He comes back with a different brown shoe. Repeat above dialogue. I think it is always more annoying because I know how much he can pay attention to everything, even the shades of colors.

Wow! I will look out for it too.

I never knew, I'll look the next time.

DD2 has been like that too since she was a baby. I think she is probably a perfectionist as she executes these details in everything she does. Like with stickers even if tiny piece of it is turned to the backside she will not be happy. When she was younger and could not speak we never knew why she suddenly got so upset while playing. She also spots airplanes from very far, if she says there is one and we don't see it we better wait a second and look again and there it is. I have learned to trust my 2 year old, if she sees something and I won't, she is right and I'm wrong. Same thing with books. Also if some signs or pictures look different when they are turned she always mentioned it.

Yesterday while walking home I noticed DD making stop signs with her hand but there was none around, I kneed next to her stroller and told her I can't see any stop signs. She said "No mommy, it is right there (points to other side of the road), same like stop, different writing" When I look there is this small blue palm side octagon hiding behind the bushes with "security" written on it.

Veering slightly off topic once again, but...

You can swap out the melodies between Stairway to Heaven and Gilligan's Island!

And now you know everything you need to know...

SPG, I agree. DS7 can find a blueberry, a raspberry, or a gooseberry bush in the middle of the woods but cannot find his shoes by the front door (even if they are the only ones there) to save his life. Amazingly he can never find his school worksheets either. Hmmm?

Very interesting Shellymos.

Funny Dandy. I knew there was information I have been missing all these years. Now I know.

I would really like to know why such bright kids can do origami and not fold a shirt? Memorize lots of information but need a list of what to do in the morning, after two years of using the list? Put together 100 piece puzzle but not find see the socks they left on the coffee table?

Do we just accept they are kids and that's what a kids does?

I would not count on them growing out of it. I'm bad like that too and my dad is the worst. He is a very typical absent-minded professor type, can never find his socks and they are always right in front of him I think of it more that person can shut the world outside if they think of something that has more meaning for them. I see it as part of the character, it probably helps them to concentrate better to finish the puzzle. DD is a girly girl and loves clothes and shoes, I'm sure she will always be able to find correct pair (will probably decide her self which one it is) as she concentrates on finding them as hard as fixing a puzzle. My father on the other hand could not care less about his shoes or socks.