Writing Lesson

I write Caleb's name on the paper. "Now just make it look like that."

Caleb begins to write...a circle. "Nope," he says. "That's not a C." He begins again. "Nope. That's a candy cane." Then he draws candy canes. One of the candy canes is sideways. "That's not a candy cane. That's a gun." He begins drawing guns, now with sound effects.

Then the pencil becomes a gun. I am the target.

"Caleb, I'm so pleased we could have this time together to practice writing your name."

Somewhere in My Youth or Childhood...

Henry's second word: Football.

Yes!

Shall We Dance

Caleb, put on your shoes. In he runs. Maddie, put on your pants, out she goes. Where's Henry? Katie runs past. Enter Maddie with a skirt, can she wear that instead? Exit Caleb. Where's Henry? Katie runs past.

Maddie's out the door. Daddy starts the car. Caleb runs down the street. Where's Henry? Caleb gets in the car. Maddie heads back inside. Katie runs past.

All kids are in the car. I want the front seat. No, it's my turn. Caleb gets in Henry's seat. Henry's in the driver's seat. Maddie wants her other shoes. Katie runs past. Henry gets in his seat. Caleb to his side. Maddie in the back. The car pulls out. Where's Katie?

Morning

Henry's morning routine (he's 16 months):

Turn off the heater. Plug in the lamp. Drag chair in front of TV. Turn on TV. Give dad the remote control. Point to the freezer (he wants an Eggo waffle while he watches).

The man knows what he wants.

Amelia Bedelia

"OK, Maddie," I instructed as I sent her off to the field, "just do what the coach tells."

She shook her head affirmatively and took her position as a striker.

A corner kick. "Madeline," coach ordered. "Stand right here."

Maddie dutifully took her assigned position. As designed, the ball came right to her with a clear shot to the goal. We cheered. We waited. We waited longer. Maddie looked at the ball, then to the coach without moving. Then the other team kicked the ball out bound. Opportunity missed.

Substitutions. Maddie came out.

"Why didn't you kick it?" I asked.

"You told me to just do what coach said. He said 'stand here'. He didn't say 'kick the ball.'"

Argument Won

While trying to discuss with Maddie her recent disobedience issues, she cut in:

"Daddy, I'm just trying to be like Mom. And mom doesn't do what you say either."

Well played, kiddo.

Sound Board

Word count during a one hour interval the other day:

Maddie: I don't have to if I don't want to (12 times)

Caleb: Hey, guys! Wait for me! (20 times)

Katie: Um...[followed by silence] (25+ times, I lost count)

Tim: Be careful, guys (22 times)