Pop! A Tutorial

Dexter is feeling professorial today. If you please, allow him to show you how to use the ball popper.

OK, so here's the deal. You start with a ball. I kind of like this pink ball, but there's five colors so just pick one.

I would advise you to first taste the ball to be sure it is acceptable.

Then slowly move toward the ball popper apparatus. Move slowly, making sure the thing isn't actually turned ON (scary!) Editor's note - seriously. Don't turn the ball popper on. It makes the small child cry.

Put the ball in the orange tray, thusly...

Watch the ball roll down. It helps, I've found, to furrow your brow in concentration, as I am showing here.

Repeat with balls of different color. Continue til all balls are in the popper, then pull it over in an attempt to remove the balls from said popper. Look cute enough so that Mom will offer assistance.

It's kind of incredible watching this kid, you know, LEARN stuff. Like how to put the balls in the popper, or the shapes in the shape sorter (not in the shape holes, but just in the top). And have him figure out he can reach his little hand back in the shape sorter to get something out. Or figure out how to play catch with a ball. Or how to shake something with his hand (it helps tremendously if Daddy sings "shake-shake-shake, shake-shake-shake, shake your booty, shake your booty"). Or how to wave bye-bye. And it's really incredible to realize that all that stuff just happened in the past week.

I can just hear the grandmas now... "Our boy - he is a GENIUS!" :-)

PS - Brownie points to you if you can figure out what looks different about Dexter's appearance!