There is something hugely reassuring about discovering IJ at the top of the stairs with a screwdriver in one hand and a selection of different sized batteries in the other.
The little girl who for so many weeks has been noticeably anxious and distressed, smiles as she announces to me that she is a secret agent.
She should be tucked up on bed asleep of course but I decide to ignore that, on this occasion.
She has climbed out of bed to continue the game she was playing earlier - a game that involves dismantling her toys, removing the batteries and giving a running commentary via her walkie talkie to another secret agent whose identity she can't disclose as it is top secret.
I am not allowed to play; I am not part of the secret agent team. Instead, I watch from the sidelines as she pretends to mend the Dora telephone she has just dismantled and gathers all the recently removed batteries into a Tinkerbell bag that doesn't quite fit with her secret agent image.
Ignoring the red eyes and the slightly exhausted look on her face, I see a child playing happily.
And that is exactly how it should be.
It's great to hear she has shed her worldly worries and is back in make-believe land....where all 6 year olds belong!
Posted by: English Grandma | March 09, 2010 at 10:18 AM
I love this - YAY to the land of the secret agent. It reminds me of Harriet the Spy.
Posted by: Beth | March 09, 2010 at 10:20 AM
Aww that is so sweet and great news. That is exactly how a child should be. You are a fantastic mother. xx
Posted by: Susan Mann | March 09, 2010 at 10:21 AM
Hooray for secret agent play. Sounds like a great way for a little girl to be spending her time! x
Posted by: Emily Vest | March 09, 2010 at 10:35 AM
What is it with kids and screwdrivers? I'm sure we used to play with safer toys when I was a kid.
Posted by: Vic | March 09, 2010 at 10:40 AM
I was thinking the same thing. And she has so many toys I have no idea why she ends up playing with screwdrivers and batteries.
Posted by: Rosie Scribble | March 09, 2010 at 10:43 AM
Love it - must be very reassuring.
Posted by: sue_bailey | March 09, 2010 at 10:43 AM
Yes, most definitely!
Posted by: Rosie Scribble | March 09, 2010 at 10:45 AM
That is so cute! And I love the fact that she uses a Tinkerbell bag to store the batteries - very Jason Bourne! ;o)
Posted by: PotentialMummyB | March 09, 2010 at 11:39 AM
So glad that your little lady is back to her normal doings. Don't let SATs and first communion thoughts ruin that. There is already so much pressure on the little ones from the minute they start school and I think it's up to us to try to let a bit of pressure out. I can see that you're a determined and very well balanced mother. Well done. Ciao. A.
Posted by: Antonella | March 09, 2010 at 11:59 AM
Aha! So she's a secret agent too. Ahem, not that I'm one ... i just like to talk into my collar sometimes as if I was! OK, I'll be quiet now
Posted by: Selina Kingston | March 09, 2010 at 12:02 PM
Yep this is what I was saying yesterday, bugger the SATS, enjoy
Posted by: TheMadHouse | March 09, 2010 at 12:55 PM
My children LOVE being secret agents. They use the baby monitor as a walkie talkie and gather various 'useful' objects from around the house. Never toys of course. Glad to hear she's back to being a little girl.
Posted by: Victoria | March 09, 2010 at 01:40 PM
Aww yay :)
Posted by: Livi | March 09, 2010 at 03:19 PM
Spy girl rocks. Excellent use of imagination too.
Posted by: Ellen A | March 09, 2010 at 06:15 PM
Sweet. Secret agents rock!
Posted by: Hot Cross Mum | March 09, 2010 at 08:21 PM
What a lovely image, and what imagination too!
Posted by: 1 Husband, 2 Kids | March 09, 2010 at 08:28 PM
Oh, I'm so pleased IJ is back in the land of make believe. :) Well done!
Posted by: Beth | March 10, 2010 at 02:12 PM