Decisions, decisions, decisions

Like most two year olds G isn't good with open ended questions. She is pretty good at making selections when there are limited choices. If you give her two options, she'll usually pick one even when she doesn't really like the outcome. At bed time if we were to say, "Do you want to change your diaper?" We'll often hear the reply, "No, I'm changed enough." However, if we phrase it in the form of a choice, "Do you want Daddy or Mommy to change your diaper?" She'll dutifully choose one of the options. Though, lately she's started picking up on this and if she is really being difficult she will say she wants neither.

In times like this we resort to reverse psychology. Basically we just tell her she can't do something and then in her mind it will become imperative. I was amazed at how easy it was the first time I tried it.
"Genevieve, it is time to brush your teeth."
"No, I don't want to brush my teeth tonight."
Time for el reverso. "Okay, you can't brush your teeth and you can't have any fluoride."
It was just like flipping a switch *DING*
"I want to brush my teeth"
"No, you can't brush your teeth. You aren't allowed."
"Daddy, I need to brush my teeth and have fluoride."
"Okay, fine; you can brush your teeth."

You have to be careful with this tactic because if you deny her for too long she will start to cry. What was just a simple parental desire for good hygiene could become a thirty to forty minutes task of comforting. I will say playing mind games with a 2.5 year old and winning doesn't really make me feel like a good parent. Though, I imagine if I lost I would just feel ashamed.

So She Says

Genevieve is an excellent communicator with her own special style of talking. Several mothers of her classmates have said that they credit Genevieve with improving their children's speech. It seems that their children are now copying her sayings and style of speech and the parents think it is cute. I'm sure if these children copied some of the sayings I hear from Genevieve they wouldn't be as happy.

Examples:
(while in the grocery store)
"Look, Mommy! It's beer! We LOVE beer!"

(While playing with a 4" doll, Amelie, and a carriage from a different playset)
Mommy: Does Amelie want to go for a ride in the carriage?
Genevieve: No, her tushie is too big.

All a matter of perspective

Genevieve has recently developed a sense of humor. She'll cackle madly and announce, "Daddy, I'm laughing at you!" It doesn't really matter if I've done anything out of the ordinary; she's just decided to have a hearty laugh at my expense. Fortunately her wit isn't always directed at me. She'll laugh at Carrie and even the cat. Of course the cat doesn't mind as long as Genevieve isn't actively hugging her. "I love you, Noodles. I love you so much!! Why are you running away?"

Unfortunately, as fast as she's progressing she has also reverted a bit. I don't really blame her though; I blame Disney. I've accepted the fact that she'll be a child of corporate America just like the rest of us. I dutifully explain to her the mythos of the cereal box. Rice Krispies are made by the magical elves Snap, Crackle and Pop. Wendel the Cinnamon Toast Crunch Baker decided to kill the other two bakers when sales were slipping. However, I never expected what would happen after letting her watch a single Disney film. Up until now she has been able to say the name of every animal we have shown to her. She can even do the sounds for most of them. This all came to a crashing halt after she watched "The Heffalump Movie." She now refuses to say the word elephant. She believes it is properly pronounced heffalump and even corrects us when we say it properly. I hope Walt gets freezer burn in his cryogenic tube.

Not all of her corrections are erroneous. In fact, while recently visiting in Georgia, she got to correct her Grandpa a few times; much to his chagrin. While kidding around with G, he declared, "I don't know nuthin'." Genevieve, like the good little grammar cop, said patiently "Grandpa, you don't know anything either" However, English isn't the only tongue where she feels confident enough to correct her elders. While reading a Dora book, Grandpa hesitated on the pronunciation of a few Spanish words. Of course Genevieve was more than happy to assist: "Quatro, Grandpa, it means four"

The weather this weekend was perfect for working in the garden. Carrie and I planted our vegetable garden. Genevieve helped but it was hard to explain to her that after we finished planting she wasn't allowed to dig in the flower bed any more.

Here she is showing off her farming skills with her own hoe.


Nothing cools you off quite like pressing your belly against the side of an above ground pool!?!?