Piddoes. They're funny.

I often express my exasperation about my kids. Actually, any exasperation I have is typically with the older one, Quinn. He's a pretty high maintenance and very intense little boy. If you've ever been around him for a few days, you'll start to pick up on it. Short visits or public situations ALWAYS present a different Quinn (which is normal, I hear)...but, nonetheless, at home and with me and Daniel...it's typically a lot of frustration.

Anyway...what does this have to do with this post? Well, today I've been reminded of all the funny things Quinn (and Jack) do...the things that make me laugh. And, no, this isn't my attempt to ply you with a bunch of guilt about being frustrated with your own children by saying, "Remember the funny things!" Rather, I just felt motivated to share the funny things since I often share the frustrating things...you know, give one a more "well-rounded" picture of my piddoes...because high-intensity aside, they can be funny...very funny. Here are a few instances where I'm laughing and not going crazy.

1. Quinn is a picky eater. VERY PICKY. So, when I decided that I would introduce Cod Liver Oil into his daily diet, I thought: Great, I'm gonna have to pin him down to the ground and force him to take it. One might ask, why in the WORLD would you give your kids Cod Liver Oil? To which I respond: go research it; it's good for them and anyone, really. Anyway, the first day I did this I started with: Who wants some fish oil? And the boys looked at me oddly. I then added: Whoever takes the fish oil can have their gummy vitamins! And then they were fighting over who goes first. Naturally, I wanted to get Q out of the way (Jack will try ANYTHING at least once). I squirted some in mouth and he gave me a look like: what the hell are you feeding me...Gross! I told him: it does taste bad, but it's good for your brains, and eyes, and joints, and your entire body! He endured the rest of the tsp, and then I gave him his vitamins. The next day I thought, there is no way he's gonna go for it again. I announced, they fought (once again) and I gave Q his first. He gave me the same look; then said: It tastes gross! But it's good for my brain, my eyes, my joints, and my whole body! Everyday...this same thing happens. But he takes it, and then gets his vitamins. No fight. No fuss. No battle. I can't get him to eat meat of any kind, but I can get him to take Cod Liver Oil, and happily, too.

I find that funny.

2. Quinn has gotten into asking "Why?" To which I typically respond to the best of my ability...trying my best not to say "Just Because!" Anyway, Jack (20 months) has decided to add to his rapidly growing vocabulary the words: why and mine. "mine" I expect...he's almost two. The "why" is funny. He's picked it up from Quinn. What's odd is that we know developmentally that he doesn't know why he's saying "why"...but he uses it correctly (most of the time). I'll say, Jack, it's time to clean up your toys. And with some cry in his voice, he'll say "Whyyyyy?" which makes me laugh...But the best is when it's inappropriately placed: jack, do you like peanut butter and honey? jack: Why. It's great.

I find that funny.

3. Quinn when he's naked can use the potty like a champ...no accidents. Also, he can seem to use the potty great during nap and when we've put him down for nap. But, typically, during the day he becomes oddly absent minded and often "forgets" to go, thus, going straight in his pants. Often, he's wearing something where it's hard to tell at first glance if he's wet. But one day he was wearing this light blue sweat pants. He came in to my bedroom, and I looked at him...and there was a huge dark blue ring on the front of his pants. I chuckled. Quinn, did you pee your pants. Quinn: NO!!!! I DIDN'T PEE MY PANTS!!! I laughed. "Quinn...there is a dark blue circle of pee...I can see it. Quinn: "It's water." Me: "In a perfect circle? And not anywhere else?" Quinn: "Yes." Me: "Take them off and bring them down to the laundry." Quinn complies. It's just comical that he denies it...every other time he admits it, but the day he's wearing light blue sweatpants, he denies it.

I find that funny.

4. Going to Toys-R-Them one day and we heard a bird. Quinn: "What was that?" Me: "A bird." Quinn: "What type of bird?" Me: "Uh, a Crow" (i typically guess...I have no idea about bird calls). Quinn: "No, mama. It was an Eagle." An eagle, in western PA? Me: "Quinn, I highly doubt that was an Eagle." Quinn getting a bit more worked up: "It WAS an Eagle." Me: "Uh, I don't think Eagles live here...they live out west, typically." Quinn, as we walk to the store through the parking lot: "IT WAS AN EAGLE...IT WAS!!! I KNOW EAGLES!" Me: "Fine, it was an Eagle." I cannot believe I had an argument with my 3.5 year old about Eagles in the middle of the parking lot. And, it wasn't like I just couldn't let it go (though, I was close to driving to the closest book store to prove him wrong)...he couldn't let it go. According to Quinn, Eagles live not only in Western PA, but the Toys-R-Them parking lot.

I find that funny.

5. Quinn refers to things in the past in either two ways: "Yesterday" or "Last year". He uses them correctly because he is in fact referring to things historical. But, typically, they're used incorrectly, or, I should say, where one should be used the other typically is. Quinn: "I went to school last year." Actually, he went to school yesterday, Tuesday. Quinn: "We went to Grammie's yesterday"...actually, last year. It becomes funny when he says things like: "The mailman came last year" and I, knowing he's referring to yesterday, still admit the truth in his statement: "Yes, Quinn, the mailman did in fact come almost everyday last year." Or: Quinn: "Chick-Fil-A was locked last year." Me: "Well, I think it was open some of the time last year." Quinn: "NO IT WAS LOCKED LAST YEAR!" Me: "Okay, fine, it was locked all last year...(pause) Quinn? Do you mean last Sunday it was locked?" Quinn: "Yes. Last year." Me: *give up*.

I find that funny.

Piddoes, they're funny.