On the tire swing with his friend Torben —
Elan: Torben, look at all the babies! (nods head toward four babies stretched out together on a blanket in the shade)
Torben: Wow. That’s a lot of babies.
E: One two three four. Four babies.
T: Four babies!
E: You want to go to Little Farm, Torben?
T: Yeah! Chickens.
E: Cows.
T: Pigs.
E: Woosters. 
T: Giraffes.
E: Elephants.
They both nod in understanding, like: I got ya, dude.
T: We’re on the swing.
E: With Mama.
T: Elan!
E: Torben!
T: Rebaca!
Giggles. Shrieks of excitement.
Now I know it’s probably just because I’m related to one of them, but this was so darn cute. It went on for a while, the conversation rambling here and there, touching on their various obsessions (Elan is way into babies suddenly; Torben loves animals). This was the first time I have heard Elan follow a train of thought with another kid his age. A conversation! I was on the tire swing with them, which was why I had such a good listening vantage, and I called Torben’s mom Karina over to witness it. Thanks for the picture, Karina.