Our three year old (almost four) twins play some strange games at times - but that's childhood imagination for you. One of the joys of being a daddy at the moment is listening to the bonkers things they talk about when making up their own worlds to play in.

Sometimes it's sad too. The other day I heard my daughter playing with some Peppa Pig characters and the conversation she added went something like this:

"What's wrong"?
"Oh I'm just a bit lonely."
"Why?"
"My mummy died and now I'm on my own."
"Are you okay?"
"Yes, just a bit sad."

I suppose that's a good thing really, she's already able to discuss and understand the major turning point in her young life. But hearing that kind of thing in their play brings a tear to my eye.

...

More amusing is a new favourite game of the twins. Ever since Jo told them all about Jesus they've become somewhat obsessed with the more violent aspects of the story. What do you think they do? Pretend to be Jesus and heal each other perhaps? No, they take turns at nailing each other to an imaginary cross.

"I'm hammering the nails in now Pat," Kitty will say.
"Ouch!" says Pat.

And Kitty will hammer away and poor Pat will be stuck to the beanbag. There's room for improvisation too - in a way that would impress bloodthirsty Romans.

"Why you hammering my head Pat?"
"I'm nailing your head to the cross Kitty. There's blood everywhere."

I have to admit this makes me laugh quite a bit, poor Jo just puts her head in her hands. Don't worry honey, plenty of time for the rest of the message eh?