A few funny little conversations:
Me: Liam, would you like milk with dinner?
L: Well, Mommy, actually, I would like juice.
After a conversation about friends and how friends act:
Me: Liam, what do you do when you're being a friend?
L: Well, I'm awful mean and awful happy.
Me (perplexed): Umm...
Most nights, we say a little prayer that goes something like, "God bless (insert family member's name)." Last night he added, "God bless Elizabeth, her mommy and daddy and Scout." Elizabeth is our 5-year-old neighbor down the street and Scout is her dog. He may have his first crush!
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Sunday, August 15, 2010
I'm three!
I will catch up on pictures one of these days but in the meantime...
In the week leading up to Liam's birthday, he asked every day, "Am I three today?"
Finally, on his birthday we were able to answer yes!
Every day since, he's asked, "Am I three still?"
In the week leading up to Liam's birthday, he asked every day, "Am I three today?"
Finally, on his birthday we were able to answer yes!
Every day since, he's asked, "Am I three still?"
Catch-up stories
A couple of our favorite questions lately..."what do moose say?" and "who is God?"
At the zoo recently Liam and I were visiting the cat house (to satisfy a recent obsession with big cats - specifically tigers, white tigers). We were peering into a cage and not having any luck finding the animal inside. I suggested we find the sign so we could see what animal was supposed to be in there. We found the picture and the label "coatimundi." I told Liam, "its a coat-i-mundi." Liam looked at me and said, "no Mommy, its a ka-wat-i." I looked the phonetic pronunciation and he was right! (Thank you Go Diego Go.) Later that night, we were telling Daddy about our trip to the zoo. Liam said, "we went to to the cat house and I had to tell Mommy it was a coati." (In case you're curious about the coati: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coati)
Mealtimes have become more of an ordeal lately with lots of bargaining and counting bites. I recently stole a strategy from another mom that, so far, has worked like a charm. It goes something like this: "Liam, you better not eat those (fill in the food). Those help you grow big and I don't want you to get big. I want you to stay a little baby!" Liam's response: "I'm not a baby, I'm getting bigger!" He then proceeds to take multiple bits of the "forbidden" food. He's even started scripting these little plays. Tonight he said, "Mommy say 'don't eat those green beans!'" After I play along, he then tells me to tell Daddy what he did so we all get in on the act.
A story by Liam (as relayed on the commute home with very little prompting from me):
"There's a pretend squirrel. He goes in the house. He jumps on the roof and hits the window - BANG! He is hungry and makes some dinner. He makes hot dogs and hamburgers."
At the zoo recently Liam and I were visiting the cat house (to satisfy a recent obsession with big cats - specifically tigers, white tigers). We were peering into a cage and not having any luck finding the animal inside. I suggested we find the sign so we could see what animal was supposed to be in there. We found the picture and the label "coatimundi." I told Liam, "its a coat-i-mundi." Liam looked at me and said, "no Mommy, its a ka-wat-i." I looked the phonetic pronunciation and he was right! (Thank you Go Diego Go.) Later that night, we were telling Daddy about our trip to the zoo. Liam said, "we went to to the cat house and I had to tell Mommy it was a coati." (In case you're curious about the coati: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coati)
Mealtimes have become more of an ordeal lately with lots of bargaining and counting bites. I recently stole a strategy from another mom that, so far, has worked like a charm. It goes something like this: "Liam, you better not eat those (fill in the food). Those help you grow big and I don't want you to get big. I want you to stay a little baby!" Liam's response: "I'm not a baby, I'm getting bigger!" He then proceeds to take multiple bits of the "forbidden" food. He's even started scripting these little plays. Tonight he said, "Mommy say 'don't eat those green beans!'" After I play along, he then tells me to tell Daddy what he did so we all get in on the act.
A story by Liam (as relayed on the commute home with very little prompting from me):
"There's a pretend squirrel. He goes in the house. He jumps on the roof and hits the window - BANG! He is hungry and makes some dinner. He makes hot dogs and hamburgers."
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Questions...
We have entered the "why" phase...fun but definately challenging (I am not smart enough for this!). I'll try to keep a record of some of our favorite questions.
Why do cars have exhaust pipes?
Why is the sun hot? Why is the sun made of fire?
Why don't plants poop?
Why do I have to do what you say? (Grrr...)
Why is it raining?
Many of our questions come up while reading books and have to do with the characters' behavior, actions, expressions or words. As in (in case you're a fan of Goodnight Gorilla), why is the gorilla looking at the mouse? Why is the mouse getting the string? Why are the animals in the house? Why is she taking the animals back to the zoo?
An 8 page board book turns into a 25 minute odyssey!
Stay tuned!
Why do cars have exhaust pipes?
Why is the sun hot? Why is the sun made of fire?
Why don't plants poop?
Why do I have to do what you say? (Grrr...)
Why is it raining?
Many of our questions come up while reading books and have to do with the characters' behavior, actions, expressions or words. As in (in case you're a fan of Goodnight Gorilla), why is the gorilla looking at the mouse? Why is the mouse getting the string? Why are the animals in the house? Why is she taking the animals back to the zoo?
An 8 page board book turns into a 25 minute odyssey!
Stay tuned!
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Cracks me up...
Liam is still on the fence about moving into his Big Kid Bed full time (we really just need to take the crib down!). Every nap/night we have to convince him. This past weekend, before his nap, here's what followed:
Me: Liam, I want you to sleep in your big boy bed for your nap.
Liam: NO, I don't want to. I want to sleep in my crib.
Me: OK, we'll make a deal. You can sleep in your crib for your nap but you have to sleep in your bed tonight.
Liam: Ok, its a deal.
Me: Let's shake on it.
As I turn to him I see him shaking (wiggling) his whole body!!
Liam loves to race me to the top of the stairs but he does not like me to win. On our 478th "race" this weekend:
Liam: Did I win Mommy?
Me: Yes, Liam, you won that time. I guess I need to go faster next time.
Liam: You didn't win?
Me: No, not this time.
Liam then reaches up and strokes my cheek and says,"Mommy, you can win on Thursday."
Liam does not like when my hair is in a ponytail. Whenever he can he tries to pull the rubber band out. Here's our latest conversation about it:
Liam: Mommy, can I take that out?
Me: No, Liam
Liam: It won't hurt, I be gentle
Me: No, Liam, I want it in right now.
Liam: No, Mommy, I want it out. I don't love it.
Me: Liam, I want you to sleep in your big boy bed for your nap.
Liam: NO, I don't want to. I want to sleep in my crib.
Me: OK, we'll make a deal. You can sleep in your crib for your nap but you have to sleep in your bed tonight.
Liam: Ok, its a deal.
Me: Let's shake on it.
As I turn to him I see him shaking (wiggling) his whole body!!
Liam loves to race me to the top of the stairs but he does not like me to win. On our 478th "race" this weekend:
Liam: Did I win Mommy?
Me: Yes, Liam, you won that time. I guess I need to go faster next time.
Liam: You didn't win?
Me: No, not this time.
Liam then reaches up and strokes my cheek and says,"Mommy, you can win on Thursday."
Liam does not like when my hair is in a ponytail. Whenever he can he tries to pull the rubber band out. Here's our latest conversation about it:
Liam: Mommy, can I take that out?
Me: No, Liam
Liam: It won't hurt, I be gentle
Me: No, Liam, I want it in right now.
Liam: No, Mommy, I want it out. I don't love it.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Conversations...
On the way home last night...
Me: "Liam what should we have for dinner tonight"
L: "I don't want to eat dinner."
Me: "You don't? You'll be hungry"
L: "I want to be hungry. Its Mommy and Daddy Time."
Me: "What's Mommy and Daddy Time Liam?"
L: "Mommy and Daddy play with me!"
Before bath last night...
G: "Liam, time for a bath."
L: "I don't want a bath, I was a shower."
G: "No Liam, you're having a bath tonight."
L: "No Daddy, a shower...(turning to face him) and I mean it!" (I hate when my own words come back to me!)
G: "Liam, you're taking a bath tonight, Daddy's rules."
L: (whining) "Not Daddy's rules, Mommy's rules!"
As we struggle with potty training...
Me: "Liam do you need to use the bathroom?"
L: "No, I have a diaper, I don't care."
As we transition to the Big Boy Bed...
Me: "Time to get up in your big boy bed!"
L: "No I don't want to."
Me: "You don't want to sleep in your big boy bed?"
L: "No, the beetle will pinch me." (????)
Me: "Liam what should we have for dinner tonight"
L: "I don't want to eat dinner."
Me: "You don't? You'll be hungry"
L: "I want to be hungry. Its Mommy and Daddy Time."
Me: "What's Mommy and Daddy Time Liam?"
L: "Mommy and Daddy play with me!"
Before bath last night...
G: "Liam, time for a bath."
L: "I don't want a bath, I was a shower."
G: "No Liam, you're having a bath tonight."
L: "No Daddy, a shower...(turning to face him) and I mean it!" (I hate when my own words come back to me!)
G: "Liam, you're taking a bath tonight, Daddy's rules."
L: (whining) "Not Daddy's rules, Mommy's rules!"
As we struggle with potty training...
Me: "Liam do you need to use the bathroom?"
L: "No, I have a diaper, I don't care."
As we transition to the Big Boy Bed...
Me: "Time to get up in your big boy bed!"
L: "No I don't want to."
Me: "You don't want to sleep in your big boy bed?"
L: "No, the beetle will pinch me." (????)
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Sweet boy
As we were putting on jammies last night, Liam wrapped his arms around my neck and said, "You're my best mommy!"
Saturday, May 8, 2010
When I grow up...
This is the conversation Liam and I had tonight before bed (today's my birthday):
Me: Liam, thank you for such a nice birthday!
Liam: Welcome
Me: I really liked my cake and you singing Happy Birthday to me.
L: You like my gift? (a train he pick out "for me")
Me: Yes, I liked the train. But we had a hard time sharing it tonight, didn't we.
L: Yes, I cried and said "I want it" (he then fake cries and reenacts the earlier struggle over whose turn it was to play with "my" train)
Me: You did cry but we worked hard to share and take turns
L: (after a pause) I want to be a Mommy when I grow up
me: You do?? What do you think a mommy does?
L: Share
me: Anything else?
L: No, just share
Me: Do mommies give hugs and kisses?
L: Yes and mommies don't hit
Me: No mommies don't hit, they are gentle
L: And Liam doesn't hit
Me: No, you try really hard not to hit. We try to be gentle.
L: I give hugs and kisses (he then gives me a sweet kiss and lays his head in my lap - these are the moments when motherhood is a true blessing)
Me: Liam, do you know I love you very much? (He nods) You and Daddy are some of my favorite people.
L: (Sitting up) And you my favorite people!
(sigh)
Me: Liam, thank you for such a nice birthday!
Liam: Welcome
Me: I really liked my cake and you singing Happy Birthday to me.
L: You like my gift? (a train he pick out "for me")
Me: Yes, I liked the train. But we had a hard time sharing it tonight, didn't we.
L: Yes, I cried and said "I want it" (he then fake cries and reenacts the earlier struggle over whose turn it was to play with "my" train)
Me: You did cry but we worked hard to share and take turns
L: (after a pause) I want to be a Mommy when I grow up
me: You do?? What do you think a mommy does?
L: Share
me: Anything else?
L: No, just share
Me: Do mommies give hugs and kisses?
L: Yes and mommies don't hit
Me: No mommies don't hit, they are gentle
L: And Liam doesn't hit
Me: No, you try really hard not to hit. We try to be gentle.
L: I give hugs and kisses (he then gives me a sweet kiss and lays his head in my lap - these are the moments when motherhood is a true blessing)
Me: Liam, do you know I love you very much? (He nods) You and Daddy are some of my favorite people.
L: (Sitting up) And you my favorite people!
(sigh)
Curiosity
The other night, Liam and I were out for a walk (up the neighbor's driveway) when we came upon a set of muddy footprints leading out of the grass and across the drive. I'm trying to be more purposeful in engaging Liam in spontaneous learning opportunities and this fit the bill perfectly. We examined the footprints, counted the toes (4), compared the size. We hypothesized on what animal may have made the prints - it was bigger than a cat, smaller than a dog. We eventually decided it was probably a racoon.
All that I've been reading and learning lately about preparing children for future success has pointed to the importance of curiosity. It sets the stage for a love of learning. The funny thing is, as I try to encourage Liam's curiosity, mine's growing as well. I want to learn more about how he learns and get interested in the topics we explore (those footprints were pretty neat!). I'm fortunately to have such a lovable little teacher!
All that I've been reading and learning lately about preparing children for future success has pointed to the importance of curiosity. It sets the stage for a love of learning. The funny thing is, as I try to encourage Liam's curiosity, mine's growing as well. I want to learn more about how he learns and get interested in the topics we explore (those footprints were pretty neat!). I'm fortunately to have such a lovable little teacher!
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Loopholes
As an almost-3-year-old, Liam is doing his darndest to test the limits. We're finding that he's great at finding the loopholes in our rules. A few examples....
One of our rules is that drinks need to stay in the kitchen. Of course, Liam will walk right up to the edge of the tile with his toes just barely hanging over the threshold. He then looks over his shoulder at us with a sly grin and says, "I'm still in the kitchen!"
The other night at dinner, Liam's table manners were particularly atrocious. At one point I looked over at him and he had plopped a roasted potato in his milk. We reminded him that food stays on the plate or in his mouth, not in his milk. To remedy the situation, he proceeded to stick his whole hand in his cup, slopping the milk on the table, to fish out the potato. We then asked him to not put food in his milk. A few minutes later, I saw him put another potato in his cup. Here's the conversation that followed...
me: "Liam, did you just put another potato in your milk?!"
L: "no"
me: "I just saw you Liam!"
L: Peering into his cup and then turning it toward me. "No, no milk, I drank it all!"
So, technically, he's right, we told him not to put the potato in his milk, we did not specify the cup. As one of my coworkers said, we may have a lawyer in the making.
One of our rules is that drinks need to stay in the kitchen. Of course, Liam will walk right up to the edge of the tile with his toes just barely hanging over the threshold. He then looks over his shoulder at us with a sly grin and says, "I'm still in the kitchen!"
The other night at dinner, Liam's table manners were particularly atrocious. At one point I looked over at him and he had plopped a roasted potato in his milk. We reminded him that food stays on the plate or in his mouth, not in his milk. To remedy the situation, he proceeded to stick his whole hand in his cup, slopping the milk on the table, to fish out the potato. We then asked him to not put food in his milk. A few minutes later, I saw him put another potato in his cup. Here's the conversation that followed...
me: "Liam, did you just put another potato in your milk?!"
L: "no"
me: "I just saw you Liam!"
L: Peering into his cup and then turning it toward me. "No, no milk, I drank it all!"
So, technically, he's right, we told him not to put the potato in his milk, we did not specify the cup. As one of my coworkers said, we may have a lawyer in the making.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
"I help you"
Last week I picked Liam up from school and noticed a new art project on the wall. The kids had made butterflies by painting coffee filters. I asked Liam which one was his. I walked over the bulletin board and start looking at the names on the butterflies, telling Liam which friend had made that one. He interrupted me and said, "Mommy, let me help you, it starts with L." Duh.
Circus
Last month we took Liam to his first circus. He really enjoyed all the animals, especially the tigers. He even tolerated the clowns well. On the way home I asked Liam what his favorite part of the circus was. "My favorite is the tigers and the elephants, oh yea, and the doggies and horses." He then asked, "What you favorite, Mommy?" So sweet!
Inquiring Minds
We're getting lots and lots of questions these days. Liam has to know about everything! The other day we were driving behind a car with sporty dual exhaust pipes. Liam said, "That car is loud, Mommy. What are those things?" "They're exhaust pipes Liam." "Oh, yeah, exhaust pipes. What do they do, Mommy?" Uh.
Dinner Conversations
Liam has inherited a sweet tooth and loves to have "special treats" after dinner. Recently, he asked Daddy for a special treat. Daddy offered him a choice, "Liam you may have cookies or cookies." Liam looked at him for a minute and said, "No, not 2 cookies, just 1 cookie." Smarty-pants, Daddy won't be able to outwit him for much longer!
A few weeks ago I made a beef stew for dinner. Liam is suspicious of new foods although he's good at trying at least a bite. That evening, he put a bit in his mouth, made a terrible face and said, "Disgusting!"
A few weeks ago I made a beef stew for dinner. Liam is suspicious of new foods although he's good at trying at least a bite. That evening, he put a bit in his mouth, made a terrible face and said, "Disgusting!"
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Liam-isms
Some of my recent favorites:
"Carry you" - as he looks up at me, arms raised to be carried.
"This one is mine, this one is yous."
"Pinecones" - used for actual pinecones and for orange traffic cones
"Hook" - the part of a jacket that goes over your head
"Carry you" - as he looks up at me, arms raised to be carried.
"This one is mine, this one is yous."
"Pinecones" - used for actual pinecones and for orange traffic cones
"Hook" - the part of a jacket that goes over your head
!!!
Liam is a keen observer of behavior and language. I realized this recently when we were playing with cars on a table and one flew off and hit the floor with an impressive crash. Liam turned to me and exclaimed, "Oh my goodness!!" We also recently put a bowl of ice cream in front of him - his response, "Holy Smokes!"
Language
I always find it amusing when Liam interprets a phrase or saying that we usually take for granted. Very much like his understanding of buttons.
When we arrived at a family party recently, Aunt Lisa asked Liam if she could take his coat. He turned a looked at her incredulously and said, "No, you can't take my coat, it won't fit you."
When we arrived at a family party recently, Aunt Lisa asked Liam if she could take his coat. He turned a looked at her incredulously and said, "No, you can't take my coat, it won't fit you."
Big Boy
Liam loves to tell me every day that he's "getting bigger." This is his usual monologue:
"Mommy, I'm not a baby, I'm a big boy. I'm getting bigger. I'm growing up. I'm getting taller. I'm going to be a man. You don't carry me any more (yea, right)."
He also told me the other day that when he gets bigger he's going to be a man and when I get little I'm going to be a boy.
"Mommy, I'm not a baby, I'm a big boy. I'm getting bigger. I'm growing up. I'm getting taller. I'm going to be a man. You don't carry me any more (yea, right)."
He also told me the other day that when he gets bigger he's going to be a man and when I get little I'm going to be a boy.
Songwriting
Santa brought Liam a little piano for Christmas and ever since, we have been "blessed" with the gift of music in our house. Liam's taken to making up little songs to share, a la Elmo-style. If you're not familiar, Elmo-style singing invovles repeating the same word over and over again to a little tune. Liam's most recent debut songs include:
Firetruck
Mimi's Slippers
Truck
Jammies
Blanket
He's also recently started "performing" a few covers: Old McDonald and Itsy Bitsy Spider.
Each rendition is concluded with a flourish and the expectation of wild applause. I'll have to post a video one of these days.
Firetruck
Mimi's Slippers
Truck
Jammies
Blanket
He's also recently started "performing" a few covers: Old McDonald and Itsy Bitsy Spider.
Each rendition is concluded with a flourish and the expectation of wild applause. I'll have to post a video one of these days.
Prayers
Every night before we turn off the lights, we say our prayers. One evening, around the holidays, we said prayers and then I said, "God bless Liam."
He then replied, "and God bless Mommy and Daddy and Mimi and Papa and Uncle Dan and Grandma and Grandpa and Aunt Lisa and Rob and Chris and Angie and Katie and Kyle and Mark and Ryan."
He then replied, "and God bless Mommy and Daddy and Mimi and Papa and Uncle Dan and Grandma and Grandpa and Aunt Lisa and Rob and Chris and Angie and Katie and Kyle and Mark and Ryan."
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Christmas
Just before Christmas I asked Liam what he thought Daddy would like for Christmas - he replied, a train, of course. I thought it would be fun to actually follow through on this idea and let Liam pick out a train for Geoff. I know - not my brightest idea but Liam actually did a great job at the store picking out one train (the biggest he could find) and identifying that it was for Daddy. When we got home he, of course, wanted to get it out of the box and play with it. After much discussion I was able to put the train away and out of reach.
A couple days past and Liam asked me where Daddy's train was. I explained we had wrapped it so Daddy could open it for Christmas. That night, at dinner....
L: "Daddy, I got you something!"
G: "You did?"
L: "A train!"
me: "Doh!"
L (undaunted): "Daddy, you share with me??"
A couple days past and Liam asked me where Daddy's train was. I explained we had wrapped it so Daddy could open it for Christmas. That night, at dinner....
L: "Daddy, I got you something!"
G: "You did?"
L: "A train!"
me: "Doh!"
L (undaunted): "Daddy, you share with me??"
Hypothesis
Liam loves the PBS show Dinosaur Train. (Don't you wish you were the genius that thought to combine trains and dinosaurs into one show for preschoolers?!?) The show is designed - as best a cartoon can - to help kids learn about...well, dinosaurs and science. One of the characters on the show has a favorite saying, "I have a hypothesis!"
Recently, Liam and I were playing and he looked up at me and said, "Mommy, I have a hypothesis!" I was laughing so hard I didn't even have a chance to ask him what his actually hypothesis was!
Recently, Liam and I were playing and he looked up at me and said, "Mommy, I have a hypothesis!" I was laughing so hard I didn't even have a chance to ask him what his actually hypothesis was!
Sunday, January 3, 2010
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