I'm Like a One-Legged Fella...

...in a butt-kicking contest! Things are really hopping around here today! Got to remember to slow down and take a deep breath and a moment for myself now and then.

Sam's no help. But of course, he's two. All the child-rearing folks tell you it's good to give toddlers choices (as long as you limit them - you can't take a little guy to a candy store and ask "What do you want?" He'll want it all. But you can say, "Would you like the blue or the red lollipop?") Sam's latest thing is to make a liar out of Dr. Sears. How? Lemme give you a for-instance:

Me: Sam, are you hungry?

Sam: Hungy! Hungy!

Me: Would you like oatmeal or toast for breakfast?

Sam: Toast!

(Mommy puts the bread in the toaster.)

Sam: Oat-meal!

Me: Sam, do you want oatmeal?

Sam: Oat-meal!

(Mommy takes bread out of toaster and starts making oatmeal.)

Sam: No, Mama. Toast!

Ditto for the milk vs. juice debate... the "Nemo" shoes vs. sneakers debacle... and the jeans vs. khakis dilemma. As soon as he tells me what he wants, and I get it half-way done... he decides he wants the opposite.

Can you believe this? Not even quite two-and-a-half and the kid is already mastering mind games!