Toddlers are known for their superior military strategies and battle tactics. It’s true.

Jake had just placed the last turret on the east tower of Palace Awesomefeld when Ella came barreling through the living room chasing a ball, just missing his Melissa and Doug Wooden Blocks creation.

“MOOOOOOOOOOM! Tell Ella not to run in here! She almost knocked over my castle!” 

Michelle didn't look up. “Jake, you’re not the only one who lives here. Just ignore her and she won’t bother you.”

“I’ve got my eye on you, Squirt!” Jake said as he flashed Ella a warning look. She stuck her tongue out at him in retaliation and then went back to bouncing the ball against the wall.

Jake looked down at the remaining natural-finished, smooth-sanded hardwood blocks and pondered what he should build with them. Another tower, maybe? No, no. A bridge! He placed the last of the 60 blocks then stood back to admire his handiwork. It was definitely his greatest architectural achievement thus far.

He was trying to figure out how best to build a moat under the bridge when he felt the whoosh graze his head followed by the sickening crack of the ball obliterating his masterpiece.

“NOOOOOOOOOO! Ella! Why did you do that?! MOOOOOOOOOOM! Ella destroyed my castle!”

“Just calm down, Jake. It’s not like she did it on purpose. Her aim isn’t that good.”

Ella stuck out her bottom lip, widened her doe-eyes and worked up some tears.

“Uh huh!' said Jake. "I know she did it on purpose!”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Jake. She’s just a baby. Why don’t you go to your room and cool off.”

Michelle scooped Ella up and turned to walk out of the room. What she didn’t see was Ella smiling deviously and squinting at her brother from over her shoulder.

And what neither Michelle nor Jake noticed was the crude medieval catapult in the corner that Ella had fashioned out of a Barbie car, wooden spoon and rubber band.

Back to top