Positive Reinforcement...2/25/11

I was getting Cael ready for school this morning in my room...


Cael: (looking around) Mom, your room is beautiful.  I like the way you clean it.  
Me: Thank you, Cael.  I like the way you keep your room clean, too.
Cael: I have one problem...
Me: What's that?
Cael: I think you must forget to clean that part (pointing to my sewing area)...I would really like it if you remember to clean it.  Okay?


Wow...I think I was just reprimanded by my 3 year old!  Thinking back, this sounds a lot like some of the conversations I have with him about cleaning up one thing or the other.  At least he tried to influence me to clean it in a positive way...right?

That's that...2/24/11

I was getting Cael ready for school this morning and we were having a rough time.  He wasn't listening very well...


Me: Cael, I told you to stop that.  Now you're going to the corner.
Cael: Why?
Me: Because I told you to stop twice and I'm tired of having to tell you something 3 or 4 times before you listen.  I think a few minutes in the corner might make you a better listener.
Cael: Okay, mom...I guess I can't cry about that, can I?


He stood in the corner for his 3 minutes and never made a peep...I think he's setting me up...

Confession...2/23/11

This morning I was getting Cael ready for school and he was taking his sweet time...


Me: (trying to encourage him to pick up the pace)  Cael, I'll race you to see who can let the dog out first!
Cael: Okay!  (still moving like he has concrete in his shoes)


Finally, I just let the dog out...


Me: Well, I guess I won.
Cael: No, you didn't.  I won.
Me: No, I let the dog out so, I won.
Cael: You lost, I won...hahahaha...
Me: I did not lose.  I won...


Then I realize: #1: I'm arguing with a 3 year old; #2: Even though I let the dog out first, Cael is winning; and #3: This isn't the first time this has happened to me... 

I told you so...2/21/11

Last night we were leaving the house to go to Cael's grandparent's house...


Cael: Dad, is Papa going to be there?
Jarod: Not when we first get there...he's still at work.
Cael: Yes, he is going to be there.
Jarod: No, he's not going to be there.


This went on for a few minutes.  Five minutes later, when we arrived at the house, Papa's truck was not in the driveway...


Cael: See Daddy, I told you Papa wasn't going to be here!


I guess that's one way of not having to admit to being wrong...I wish I could have taken a picture of Jarod's face!

I can't talk about that...2/20/11

We were having Sunday lunch with my mom and dad this past Sunday.  Carrots were a side dish (one that Cael is not fond of).  We told him he didn't have to eat any but he just kept asking.  Finally...


Me: Cael, if you mention those carrots one more time, you are going to eat them.
Cael: Okay, mom...


A few minutes later...


Papa: Cael, what am I eating? (eating a fork full of carrots)
Cael: Um...Papa, I can't talk about that.


He wouldn't say the word carrot the rest of the day!  I never knew he disliked carrots so much...

Stop to smell the flowers...2/17/11

Last night, while Jarod and I made dinner, Cael was playing in our fenced in backyard...


Cael: Mom, come here!  Look at the flowers I have!
Me: (not sure what flower he could possibly find in our yard) Coming...


Cael is pointing at a lovely weed with little purple "flowers".  


Me: Wow, that's nice...I bet Daddy will love that!
Cael: (completely missing my sarcasm) Daddy!  Come see my flowers!
Jarod: (looking disgusted at the weed taking over his yard) Great, Cael.  Did you grow that yourself?
Cael: No.  Jesus did!  Isn't it beautiful?


Of course his "beautiful flower" is getting a good dose of weed killer this weekend...we'll have to plant some real flowers.  

What's in a name?...2/17/11

Driving to work with Cael this morning...


Cael: Mom?  I mean, Dana?
Me: No, just call me "mom".  
Cael: But, I like Dana and everyone else calls you that!
Me: Well, everyone else has to call me Dana; you're special, you get to call me mom.  No one else gets to call me that...
Cael: Alright...I like Dana, though.


At least he likes my name;  I just hope he sticks to mom!

Isn't that exciting?...2/17/11

I was driving to work this morning with Cael...


Me: Cael, what are you going to do today?
Cael:  Well, I'm going to learn Spanish, shapes, colors, numbers, ABC's, and everything!  
Me:  Wow, that's a lot to learn!
Cael: Yeah, it is...isn't that exciting, Mom?


Hahaha...it is pretty exciting!  I just hope he retains all of the things he learns today!

Over Competitive...2/16/11

Driving to work this morning...


Cael: Mom, we're losing!  What are you doing?
Me: (no idea what he is talking about) What?  Losing what?
Cael: THE RACE!  Mom, the cars went by me...now, we're losing!  Go!
Me: Cael, it's not a race and I can't go any faster or I'll hit the car in front of me.
Cael: It's okay if we win...
Me: It's never okay to hit another car on purpose.
Cael: If we can win, it is!


Note to self:  Not allowing this child to drive anything...EVER!

Forgotten...2/14/11

Jarod is off today and is keeping Cael home with him to bond.  When he keeps Cael home, I try to sneak out of the house a quietly as possible on my way to work so that I don't wake them up.  I was headed down the stairs this morning in the dark when I looked up to see Cael standing in his doorway in the dark watching me...

Cael: Mom, where are you going?

Me: Cael, what are you doing up?  I'm going to work.

Cael: You're going to school?  

Me: Yes, and you're staying home to play with Daddy today.  Doesn't that sound like fun?

Cael: You're going to school...but Mom, you forgot me!  

Me: Cael, I did not forget you.  Daddy is keeping you home with him today.

Cael: Okay Mommy...I still think you forgot me.  Will you be gone a long time?

Me: I did not forget you and, no, it won't be a very long time.  I'll see you this afternoon...okay?

Cael: Alright Mom, just don't forget me again.

Not sure I'll ever be able to convince him that I didn't forget him...I actually got nervous when he caught me sneaking down the stairs as if I was doing something wrong...

Such a ham...2/12/11

I took Cael to the store on Saturday to print some pictures for his scrapbook.  We were waiting for the pictures to print when the photo department clerk walked up and said hello to Cael...


Cael: Hello!  Want to see my mad face? (makes his mad face)
Clerk: (laughing)  Wow, that's quite a face!
Cael: Want to see my happy face? (makes face) Want to see my sad face? (makes face) Want to see my surprised face? (makes face)


By this point in time, the lady is looking at me like I'm a crazy stage mom that forces her child to practice these crazy faces.  


Me: (laughing)  Okay Cael, that's enough.  You're such a ham!
Cael: I'm not a ham...you can't cook me!  I'm not ham...
Clerk:  (laughing out loud)  He has a point...


He is so literal.  I tried to explain what I meant, but, he just kept insisting that he was not a ham.  Cute kid...

That's ridiculous...2/10/11

Last night, on our way to church, Jarod was telling me a story about an accident that happened in his precinct in the morning.  Cael was in the back seat, we thought playing...


Jarod: So, the guy is driving on a 4 lane HWY separated only by a double yellow line.  He's going, at least, the 55 mph speed limit when he looks back over his shoulder to talk to his toddler son in the back seat.  The next thing he feels is contact with a car.  Thankfully, for him, the lady he almost hit head on was paying attention and moved out of the way.  He ended up grazing 4 cars...


Cael: (interrupting and holding up 4 fingers) 4 cars?  He hit 4 cars?


Jarod: (laughing a little) Yes, he hit 4 cars and almost got a lot of people hurt, including his kids, all because he wasn't paying attention.


Cael: 4 cars?  That's crazy, Daddy!  4 cars...that's just ridiculous!


Hahahaha...I'm convinced the child is older than 3...sometimes, I think he's more like 30 trapped in a 3 year old's body!


He was so serious and couldn't believe that someone would actually hit 4 cars.  After it set in he told us that Jarod should go arrest him and lock him up for driving crazy.  I hope that means he'll be a good driver and obey all the traffic laws when he starts driving...

Snow...again...2/10/11

So, we woke up this morning to a fresh layer of crisp white snow on the ground.  Cael discovered this exciting turn of events when it was time to leave for work/school...


Cael: (confused)  What is going on?  When did this happen?
Me: It snowed last night.
Cael: Yeah!  It's snow!  Why am I in school clothes?  Let's go get our gloves and play in the snow!
Me: Not today, sorry, we have to go to school.
Cael: We can't go to school!  We have snow!  Remember?


He is so confused...he thinks snow automatically means no school...poor kid was excited until he found out he wasn't getting a snow day.

Poor Carmine...2/9/11

We were leaving the house this morning on our way to school/work when Cael stopped me to ask some questions...


Cael: Mom, can Carmine (our dog) come to school today?  He really wants to!
Me: No, they don't allow dogs in school.
Cael: Oh...it's because he doesn't have hands to raise.  He doesn't have hands to write his name, either.  Poor Carmine...he really wants to go!
Me: He'll be fine and you can teach him when you get home this afternoon.
Cael: I can teach him to have hands?
Me: Never mind...


Where does this kid come up with this stuff?  Side Note:  I'm pretty sure the dog looks forward to his quiet days...

Safety v.s. Speed...2/8/11

Cael and I were driving to work this morning when he decided that I don't drive as quickly as I should...

Cael: Mom, I like to go fast...can you go fast?

Me: I can't.  I have to drive the speed limit and I like to be safe.

Cael:  I don't want to be safe.  I want to go fast.  

Me: Sorry, this is the law.  We have to drive this fast and stay safe.

Cael:(disappointed)  Dad goes fast...he's not safe...

I'm not sure how I feel about this...I think his daddy and I need to talk=)

You're under arrest...2/7/11

We were talking to my lovely sister on skype yesterday when Cael decided that she had done something wrong...


Cael: Put your hands up!  You're under arrest!
Sam: What? What did he say to me?
Cael: Put your hands up...this isn't batty cake or baker's man!  This is not a game!!  Put your hands up!


I think he's been practicing for a career in law enforcement...he's off to a great start!

Nice try, Cael...2/4/11

On the way home from work today, in the pouring rain, Cael decides he needs to take control...


Cael: Mom, can I drive?
Me: (chuckling) No.  You're too young to drive.
Cael: No I'm not.  You're lost!
(I took a different way home.)
Me: I'm not lost!
Cael: This is not the way we go home!
Me: This is one of the ways we can get home and you're still too young to drive.
Cael: I can drive...Daddy let me drive yesterday!




So, either my child and my husband have a secret or, my child is trying to be clever.  I'm guessing the second option is a winner!  He's still convinced he can drive...I thought I had 13 more years before I had to worry about this!

Cael: Average 3 yr. old or undercover cop...you be the judge...2/4/11

We were driving to work this morning...(important side note: Cael's dad is a police officer)...


Me: Cael, what are you going to do today?
Cael: I don't know.  I have to go find this bad guy.  He has a warrant and I need to lock him up.  
Me: Oh, wow.  Why does he have a warrant?
Cael: Well, I almost caught him yesterday but he ran.  I think he had drugs and that's bad!


Note to self: Watch everything you say in front of Cael...this sounds, oddly, like a conversation my husband and I had a week ago.  I didn't know he was even listening...at least he wants to be the good guy!

Cael on patience...2/3/11

This story was conveyed to me by one of Cael's teachers today.  This morning at school, having breakfast, another child wanted seconds.  He was asking over and over with the patience of an average child...

Cael: Excuse me?  You need to be patient.

Other Student:  Can I have more? (a few seconds later)  I want more.  Can I have another one?

Cael: You need to be patient AND quiet.

Hahahaha...that's my boy!

Picture Day...2/2/11

Dropped Cael off this morning at school (it's picture day)...

Cael: Okay Mom, don't forget to smile for your picture.
Me: I won't forget. You don't forget, either...
Cael: I can try...oh, and mom, don't tell anyone about my "Batcave". If I need to hide from the pictures, I can go there.

Cute...but so strange sometimes=)

Cael's view on Christmas lights after Christmas...2/1/11

Driving to work this morning...we drove past a house with their Christmas lights up and on...

Cael: I can't believe this! Mom, did you see that house with Christmas lights on?
Me: Yes, I did. Calm down...
Cael: That's just crazy! It's not Christmas anymore...they should wait for Christmas time again...I just can't believe this!

Talk about stressed out! (However, I agree with him=))

Attention Please...1/29/11

In the car today Cael sneezed while Jarod and I were having a conversation...

Cael: (after waiting a few seconds): Mom, I sneezed...Mom? Hello?
Me: Just a second, Daddy and I are talking.
Cael: But I sneezed and I think I need a "God Bless You"!
Me: Oh, sorry...God Bless You.
Cael: Thank you. Now you can finish talking to Daddy.

Love him...

Cael and the radio...1/28/11

On the way home from work today...

Cael: Mom, turn this up...
Me: I didn't hear you say please.
Cael: Please...turn this up.
Me: You better watch it buddy...use your manners!
Cael: Mom, I can't watch it; it's a radio not a t.v. You can only hear it.

Such sarcasm...wonder where he gets that?  I guess I'll have to take some of the credit...

Cael's hard life...1/28/11

Driving to work this morning...

Cael: Mom, I'm just sick of this.
Me: Sick of what? What's wrong?
Cael: I'm sick of fighting with all of these bad guys...I'm Batman, remember?
Me: Oh yeah, right. Sorry you have to work so hard fighting crime.
Cael: If they would just behave, I wouldn't have to fight them and lock them up...oh well.

So matter of fact and such an imagination...keeps me laughing=)

Such a little man...1/27/11

Dropping Cael off at school this morning...

Cael: Mom, it's cold outside; is your jacket zipped?
Me: It's buttoned. Thanks, big guy!
Cael: Okay, just make sure you are careful and don't forget your wallet.

Can't remember ever forgetting my wallet but, with him around, I never will. He's such a little man! I sometimes wonder which of us is taking care of the other=)

Cael's faith...1/27/11

Driving to school today...

Cael: Mom, I have a little bump in my mouth. It hurts...
Me: I'm sorry, buddy. I can't fix that little bump but it will go away in a few days. 
Cael: Well, let's just pray for it and ask Jesus to give me healing. That will make it better.

I prayed for it and he says it feels better...I hope he always keeps that great faith!  As a matter of fact, I think I could learn a lesson or two about faith from him!

Avoidance is key...1/26/11

Eating dinner tonight...(Cael skipped his nap today at school)


Jarod: Cael, why didn't you take a nap today?
Cael: What?
Jarod: Why didn't you take a nap today?
Cael: Umm...never mind, I don't really know. I'll just eat my dinner and you eat yours...then we'll talk about it.

Hahaha...I'm not sure Jarod wanted to wait to talk about it.  I'm not even sure they ever did have that discussion!

How to get food, according to Cael...1/26/11

My mom took Cael home and put him to bed for us last night. (Jarod and I had a meeting)...apparently, my child lies when he's hungry...

Cael: (to my mom looking at her stocking feet): Nice tights lady...they wouldn't let me eat today; I'm hungry.

I think he was warming her up with a compliment...I'm sure she gave him something to eat but, at least, she didn't believe that we wouldn't let him eat.

Cael on windshield wipers...1/25/11

Driving to work in the rain this morning...

Cael: Mom, turn off the wipers...they make noise.
Me: I can't turn them off or I won't be able to see.
Cael: Keep your eyes open...just turn off the wipers.

I think he's missing the point of the wipers...

The best start to my day...1/24/11

Driving to work this morning...

Cael: Mom, am I 4, yet?
Me: No, you're still 3...please don't rush it.
Cael: Are you going to cry when I'm 4?
Me: I don't think so...no...maybe...why?
Cael: Don't cry, I can still give you love even if I'm big. You are the best "Bat-girl" in the whole world!

What a great way to start my day=) (Also, pretty happy he doesn't call me Joker, anymore.)

Cael's thoughts on places for men and women to go...1/23/11

Went to lunch with Jarod and Cael at Buffalo Wild Wings...

Me: Cael, do you like your meal?
Cael: Yes, it's good...I like this restaurant; it's a man place.
Me: Why is it that every place you like is a man place?
Cael: It just is...you can have Target. Okay...happy?

Hahaha...I do love Target!  Wish I could have Walmart, too...apparently that is for men!

My little man just melts my heart...1/21/11

On the way to work this morning...Cael asked 1 million questions (i.e. Where does the moon go during the day? Where is the sun at night? Why does it rain? Why do we have to drive everywhere? etc...)...


Cael: Mom?
Me: (dreading the next question) Yes Cael?
Cael: I really love you!
Me: I really love you, too! 

I'll answer as many questions as he wants=)  He knows how to make me melt...

Discipline, Cael style...1/19/11

Had to go to the store to get dog food this afternoon...apparently said something ridiculous (according to Cael)...

Cael: Oh mom...you need to go home and think about what you said.
Me: What did I say?
Cael: You know! Go home and think about it.
Me: Where is home?
Cael: You know where it is...it's right next to the stop sign.

Hahaha...he's right, we do live right next to the stop sign=)  I still don't know what I said to get into trouble, though!

Cael and the double standard...1/18/11

Jarod was hanging our new picture frame tonight and was marking where the nails needed to go.


Mistake #1: He put the pencil down where Cael could reach it...
Cael: (Writing on the wall): Daddy I'm writing with you.


Mistake #2: He forgot that Cael doesn't do double standards...
Jarod: CAEL! You do not write on the wall!
Cael: Why? You do.

Try explaining that to a 3 year old...It's not easy; I promise=)

The joys of playing games with a 3 year old...1/17/11

Playing "Go Fish" with Cael...I must have asked for the same card a few times...
Cael: I do not have a four! Why do you just keep asking me and asking me? I told you a thousand times!

I finally just drew my four...He's pretty unforgiving...

Cael v.s. the idiom...1/16/11

Talking to Cael this afternoon...(he was in trouble for throwing something in the house)...


Me: You need to calm down and behave. You're already in hot water with me.
Cael: (wiping his arms and head): Ouch! Hot water, get off of me! Okay, I don't have hot water on me anymore; I wiped it off!

I think he missed my point...

Cael's feelings on his Daddy...1/12/11

Just got home from mom and daddy's (Cael's grandparents) house to put Cael down for a nap...


Cael: Mom, is daddy going to be here when I get up?
Me: Probably...yes, he should be here.
Cael: Okay...good...because I think I really like him.

So cute...wonder when he'll make his final decision...hahaha...

Cael's idea of following directions...1/12/11

Cael and Daddy (his Papa)  talking last night...


Cael: Papa, I'm going look at your guitars.
Papa: Not yet, you know you can't touch them unless I'm with you, right?
Cael:(no response)
Papa: Right? We can't go look at them if you don't answer.
Cael:(still no response)

15 minutes later...
Cael: Can we go look at your guitars, now?
Papa: No, you didn't answer me earlier. Sorry.
Cael: Okay, let try it again. Ask me now...

Ha...I guess following directions is only important when you get something out of it=)

Where Cael gets his looks...1/11/11

Cael was talking to my sister on skype yesterday afternoon. He wasn't feeling well and she was trying to take his mind off of it...
Sam: Cael, you're so cute. Do you look like your mom or your dad?
Cael: I look like a child.



Apparently, he doesn't get his good looks from either of us...