Good-bye Mr. Monster

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I can't remember exactly when Mr. Monster entered our life. I am pretty sure it came after Gavin's 3rd birthday. He was fighting his nap, but I knew he still needed it, so I was fighting back. In one of my attempts to keep him in his bed, I told him I was going to tell him a monster story. He immediately stopped crying and was ready for his monster story. I began by saying, "Once upon a time there was a big SCARY monster." I realized as I was telling him this that I he might get scared, so I added "WAIT a minute, he's not a scary monster; He's a nice monster and he is friend's with a little boy named Gavin." "AND they liked to go adventures." I followed with some made up adventure that involved him and Mr. Monster.

I didn't realize that he would ask for a monster story before every nap and bedtime. I could make it longer or shorter depending on how much time we had. His adventures took us to the moon where they encountered a new friend named Billabong, to Africa, to central park, to the store, to the zoo, and many more places.

After a while Gavin started adding to the stories, so that he was practically telling the story himself.

I am not sure when he stopped asking for monster stories, but I realized this week that it has been a while. It made me a little sad, so today I asked Gavin if he wanted a Monster story. I was happy to see his eyes light up. I am pretty sure that Mr. Monster will occasionally reappear, but for now it is good-bye.

(I am not sure the monster pictured above is what we both pictured in our minds, but he looks pretty friendly)