Kids say the darndest things!!!

Peanut is very good with the talking now, he is putting full sentences together and answers question (most of time like he has understood) that you ask. But he is still quite big with parroting what he has just head or if you ask a question with two options, giving back the option that was the second to be asked.

For example, if I ask him if his much beloved Lambie is a boy or a girl - he says "Lambie is a girl". But if I ask him if Lambie is a girl or a boy - he says that Lambie is a boy.

There are some things that we will repeat things over and over again so the they get in Peanut's head and he will say them on queue, like to wish someone a happy birthday. He has gotten extremely good at saying happy birthday to people - but to the point that he says it nearly every one whether it their birthday or not. He will even sing the happy birthday song and pretend to blow out a candles, again whether it is their birthday or not.

And of course there are sometimes when what we have told him or what he has heard will get an odd reaction. Back in January one of the carers at Peanut's day care centre pulled me aside, concerned that there was a bit of family situation going on that Peanut seemed to have picked up on. He had told this carer that "Nana's a bitch" - or at least that is what she thought he was saying.

I explained that my mother-in-law was spending her summer holiday at Rosebud and that Peanut was just telling her that Nana was at the beach. We then quickly changed what were saying to Peanut about his Nana's whereabouts to either: Nana is at Rosebud or Nana is down the beach.

And of course there are sometimes that things are said in front of Peanut that he just picks up on instantly. Like the time that he was in the car with his Granny and Grandpop. I was at work so I am only telling the story as it was told to me. Peanut's Grandpop was driving the car and took a wrong turn, he let out his frustration at this mistake but saying "BUGGER". Peanut's two grandparents them heard from the back seat, clear as a bell, Peanut saying "BUGGER". Grandpop tried to tell Peanut that he had actually said "bother" not "bugger" but Peanut was sure of what he had heard and corrected him "No Grandpop, not bother, bugger".

M34tb4LL will sometimes give Peanut a shoulder ride and if he puts him on one shoulder he will say he is a pirate and that Peanut is his parrot. Peanut loved this, he will prouding sit on M34tb4LL's shoulder and say "Daddy's a pirate!". Well yesterday we were at a shopping centre and when Peanut had had enough of being in his pram, M34tb4LL lifted him onto this shoulder. I noticed that Peanut had a smudge of chocolate on his face - from the babychino he had just devoured - and I tried to clean it off his face. Peanut quickly smacked my hand away and said "No Mummy, no touching the pirate!" However once he was in his car seat and buckled in I was free to clean the chocolate off his face, he was no longer a pirate you see.

But there are somethings that no matter how much we encourage Peanut to say something - he won't... it is a bit strange. But it is not going to stop us from working on him, like today. I need to get him to say "Happy Mother's Day", not "Happy Mother's Birthday" like he is currently...

(: Reggie

Helper monkey in training

Now those of you who know me, know that I am not much of a domestic goddess. In fact it has been said that my only domestic quality is the fact that I live in a house! Cleaning is not one of my strong points, but thankfully those who know and love me seem to be able to overlook this.

Peanut is becoming more and more helpful around the house. I'm sure that by now you have all seen the YouTube video of him helping me empty the dishwasher. And if you haven't seen it go look at it! it is adorable!!! Here is a link to the video -

Every home should have one of these

I must admit though, every time he helps me, I do hold my breath till we have finished.

So anyway, at Peanut's 2 year check-up the MCHN (maternal & child health nurse) I was told that a child should have his own chores to do around the house. Picking up toys, putting his used clothes in the laundry basket - whatever. And the amount of the chores the child should have should be the same number as his age. So, seeing as Peanut has turned two, he should have two chores - tasks that are his to complete.

The first chore that has been assigned him was the one that you have all witnessed. And if you do not know what I am talking about - SERIOUSLY, GO AND WATCH THE VIDEO AND THEN COME BACK AND FINISH READING!!! Go on, the story here can wait a few minutes.

As for the second chore, this is where am stuck!!! I can't really get him to put his used clothes in the basket, seeing as he does not get himself undressed (well, not most of the time) and the basket is next to the change table. Unless I throw the clothes on the floor next to the basket and get him to pick them up, but what kind of an example am I setting for him. Throwing things on the floor then telling him to pick them up. That is just inviting a monkey see monkey do scenario.

But the idea did get me thinking. Though we might not have given him two chores yet, does not mean we can not start training him! For Christmas we gave him a mini Dyson vacuum cleaner that looks pretty much like the Dyson we have. So the other day when I vacuumed the floor (and this is a pretty rare event, but ...) I gave him his Dyson vacuum and encouraged him to follow me around the house so we were vacuuming together, he thought it was terrific fun. He is a bit too little at the moment to use the real thing - but soon...

Next I am thinking of sending him out in to the yard with his push-along toy (not sure what it is called really) and get him to follow me around while I mow the lawn. Then I could get one of those play kitchen / food sets and get him to practise making dinner!!!

The potential here is endless! If he thinks a chore is playing - then I'll let him play away!!! Of course there is still the problem that at two he currently only has one chore - not two.

(: Reggie