That's Imagination!

So, I took a few psych. classes in college and I know some of them covered childhood development. I'm trying to remember what was covered on the subject of the imagination. Although, none of them could have possibly prepared me for witnessing my own child's development of her own imagination. Over the past few weeks her mind has been going in new directions and she's playing in a way she's never played before, she's pretending! Of course she's role-playing with her dolls, acting out her newfound "mommy skills" with her dolls and talking to herself in the mirror while she plays dress up. It's this other side of her imagination that sparks my interest the most...Her beloved pink knit blanket has become a fishing pole cast over the edge of the couch to hook a prize. Other times the blanket become a rope to climb or a fancy new hair-do draped over her head.
It sort of reminds me of Linus and his own little security blanket from the Peanuts cartoon. Linus was always my favorite..always had it so together. Come to think of it, I do remember learning about Charles Shultz in my abnormal psychology class. Chasing rabbits. Back to subject matter...I commented to Jon while he was driving us home from church one night that "Not many two-year-olds can play with a bookmark and a flip flop quite like that..." as I watched Mae play very contendly with her shoe in one hand and a fancy bookmark in the other...I'm still unsure about the specifics. I do love to play and pretend with her, but lately it's become more interesting to watch her play and pretend all on her own.
She even drags Nate into the game at times, usually unwillingly on his behalf. At least in her mind, he's plays along with her even if he is just out to use all her doll's hands as teething toys. He does still thinks she's the greatest thing ever...even if she does put silly hats on his head and make him drink tea from a princess tea cup. Poor little fella. I'm just thankful that she's not pushing him out of her room...instead she pulls him down to stay in her room longer. I'm just wondering how long that will last!
On a closing note, I have heard that if a child has a good imagination, like if a child has imaginary friends per say, then they are more likely to be a "gifted" child. Ahhh...I knew it from birth, Mae IS gifted! (Please note the sarcasim here since I'm in complete awarness that my little Mae is doing what most kids do, play and pretend!). I'm really hoping no "Drop Dead Freds" pop out of her imagination anytime soon!