This Little Guy

Throughout EB's toddler-hood, I was diligent about recording her little sayings and EB-isms. B, on the other hand, has been a victim of being the second child. There have been so very little posts on all of the cute little things that my darling little boy has uttered. Not to mention the fact that I need to build more ammunition that I can pull out to embarrass him when he reaches his teenage years. So, here it a brief compilations of B at three.

B's favorite color. Ever since he was two, he has been very particular about his favorite color. The color of sunshine, or as he would call it:  “Ye-wow.”  Here is B in his favorite hat. Favorite jacket. Cowboy hat. Favorite car. All ye-wow.

And recently, he announced: “Mommy, I want to have a big, ye-wow, race car party for my birthday!”

Learning and using grown-up phrases. B definitely benefits from having an older sibling by learning to use rather grown-up phrases. Ever since he was barely three, he was able to use rather adult phrases in right context. Example:

Me: “B, you need to come and wash your hands.” -- Me
B: “No, Mommy, I’m gooood!”

Concept of time. In B's world, there are only three sets of times:
1. Today: something that happens in the next few minutes. e.g.

     B: Can we go to the park?

     Me: Yes, later.

     B (with his shoes on): I'm ready!
     Me: I said later.
     B (whining): But you said I can go to-day!

2. Yesterday: anything that happens before that moment. it doesn't matter if it happened a year ago or an hour ago; it's all yesterday to B.

3. Tomorrow: anything that happens after the moment.

Trying to talk like the Brits. He heard the phrase "ta-ta" on one of the TV shows, and thought it was the most hilarious thing ever said. So much so that he started using the phrase. Except instead of saying "ta-ta," he says "tee-tee".

Till next time; tee-tee for now.

A Very Crinkly Christmas

When I first learned about the Elf on the Shelf thing, I thought it was the stupidest pile of crap. As if it weren't enough to keep up with the Santa Claus deception, (who, by the way, my parents never taught me and my brother to believe), we now have to surprise them on a daily basis with scenes starring some magical, androgynous imp who spies on the kids (try explaining this to someone from another culture -- creepy). And at a hefty $30 price tag to boot.  No wonder parents are so stressed.

I swore I would never take part in the annual Elf-on-the Shelf shenanigans. After hearing co-workers attribute their kids’ angelic behavior to the Elf’s watchful eyes, I decided that the Elf thing was worth a try.
Thanks to the magic of Amazon, the Elf showed up a few days later. I went through the whole song and dance about the Elf’s backstory (the elf reports to Santa, you can’t touch the elf, blah-blahblety-bloop). EB wrinkled her nose, as if she herself thought that was the stupidest thing she’d ever heard. BBoy walked away mid-story, not having heard or cared about a word I said.

Not to be deterred, I started staging my elf, whom I dubbed “Crinkle.” I had Crinkle sitting on the fireplace mantel. I had her sitting on the piano. BBoy barely noticed and continued with his rowdy three-year-old behavior. EB, ever the pleaser, gave an obliging chuckle each time she saw Crinkle – it was as if she kind of knew it was all made up, but figured she had more to lose if she openly displayed her skepticism. By that point, I had way too much vested in this Elf-on-the-Shelf thing. My $30 and my pride were at stake, and it was time to step up my game.

On the third morning of Crinkle’s run, the kids caught her fishing. This made them both giggle, I could see that Crinkle was starting to win over EB.  BBoy promptly gobbled up all of the goldfish, although he took care to not touch the elf.

Over the next few days, the kids learned much about Crinkle.

She liked to eat, and frequently found herself in a pickle.

 

She also liked to cook, although sometimes she made a mess.

 




She had a great oral hygiene, which she absolutely needed what with all her eating habits.

She had a penchant for speed boat racing.

And she got into all sort of mischief liked to play with her friends at night.

 

In the end, I realized that I was actually enjoying this Elf-on-the Shelf thing. It wasn’t even for the kids anymore; it was for me, my little creative outlet before I went to bed at night.

I was actually a bit sad to see Crinkle go. Till we meet again in 2015, Crinkle.