Trying to Look Like Daddy

The other day the Gremlin decided he wanted to "look more like Daddy." This was during the course of a normal conversation (if you can have a normal conversation with a 4 year-old), and he didn't bring it up again so we thought it was not anything to think about.

Unfortunately, the mind of a child is still something we're trying to figure out, and a while later, he emerged from his room with pen marks all over his face. Each mark was a small dash, no more than a centimeter in length. All were horizontal and they were grouped mostly around his mouth, but some led back up his jaw to his ear.

The Gremlin had used a pen to draw himself facial hair.

After a short discussion where we encouraged the Gremlin to not write on himself, the Mother of the Gremlin was getting frustrated by the all-encompassing knowledge of the 4 year-old.

"But buddy, I don't even know if that will come off!" The Gremlin had already thought of this, though, and provided another classic view of the world.

"Sure it will, I just have to shave!"


Favorite Toy of the Week: General Grievous action figure

Amounts

So I realized a few weeks ago that I made a 2010 New Year's Resolution to update this blog on a regular schedule and was going to try for once a week, and it's now 2011. I was feeling a bit burned out, so I'm probably going to roll back to the once a week schedule, but that depends on The Gremlin, and when he decides to surprise us.

(above: the Gremlin sulking because he felt the bus was taking too long)

Which happened the other day - the Gremlin was coloring at the table while the Mother of the Gremlin was making her weekly rounds through the ads delivered in the mail. The Gremlin was watching her, and asked about different notations.

"Mumma, why do you circle those?"

"That's what I'm looking at getting this week - if it's part of a recipe or on sale."

"Why are there numbers there?"

"So that when I go back through with my list I remember and write down how many I want."

Later that day in the store, the Gremlin was insistent on bringing both the MOTG's list and the sale ads. We didn't figure out why until we got to the juice. When the MOTG put one in the cart, the Gremlin cleared his throat.

"Mumma, did you check your list?"

"Yes, buddy, I got apple."

"But how many?" And he pulled out the sale ad where he had scrawled a '5' as only a 4 year-old can. He had also done this with the fruit snacks, most of the fruit, and the flavored water the store sold.

 (above: the Gremlin being a Droideka)


Favorite Toy of the Week: General Grevious Action Figure

Wisdom of a 4 Year-Old - On Punishments and Love

"Momma, why do you put me in timeout?"

"Because we love you."

"Wait, so Daddy loves me more than you?"

Wisdom of a 4 Year-Old - On Spelling and Symbols

This came after I'd had a few conversations with the Gremlin about 'concepts' and how we assign value to symbols to create language and communication.

"Mom do you know how I'm going to spell my brother's name?"

"How?"

"P-o-o-p."

"What? And what does that spell?!"

"My brother."

"Oh really? Is that what that spells?"

"I don't know, I'm four, I can't spell."

And The Baby Is... (According to the Gremlin)

"This is the best worst day ever!"

--Upon finding out the sex of his sibling

And his conversation with the ultrasound technician:

"So what's being four like?"

"It's pretty great. You get to wear Transformer pajamas, play with lightsabers, and eat waffles for dinner!"

"What's the worst part about being four?"

"Having a brother or a sister. I didn't have to have one when I was three, and I didn't have to wipe my own butt either! I miss being three."

Wisdom of a 4 Year-Old - On Returning Home

The Gremlin said this once he found out that I was leaving on a business trip for a week

"But when you come back, are you coming back to this house?"

Good to know the move didn't traumatize him.

Wisdom of a 4 Year-Old - On Tasting Samples

"Well, what do you think? Do you like it?"

"I'm not sure, I think I need another..."

"Here you go. What do you think now?"

"No, I still can't tell. I need one more."

"Okay, how about now?"

"Mmmmm, I still can't tell, but I think I could if I had one more..."

"Okay, here's a handful."

"Oh awesome, these things are great!"

"So you do like them?"

"Aw man! Yeah.... I guess...."