Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Kid Friendly

Glad to see that my favorite restaurant has gone away from its original kid friendly environment and opted for a more sophisticated decorating scheme.  No more booths, just 3+ foot high backless, swivel stools at one long counter as well as free-standing (movable) leather bench/couches at shiny granite-like tables.
Brilliant.
Even the colors are tastefully neutral and sleek.  Oranges and browns have replaced the tired red and yellow of yesteryear.

What restaurant has smartly gone from kid's paradise to posh coffee house with free Wi-Fi?

McDonalds, of course!

While visiting this new hot-spot, my Mom sat my sisters and I in the brown leather bench/couch closest to the register so she could order our meals.
I decided to test the durability (and movability) of this sweet new piece of furniture and pushed it (with my two sisters on board) across the floor.  Being less than 3 feet tall, I didn't see the giant billboard sign advertising new "peppermint mochas".
The couch took out the sign, sending it crashing into a full mop bucket.  The mop handle then flung into the air, and like a bad game of "mouse trap" everything came collapsing to the floor.

With tears in her eyes, my Mom quietly said, "Make that order to go."

Luckily the manager thinks I'm "as cute as roly-poly" (whatever that means), and she couldn't resist my sincere "I sorry.  I clean up."

It didn't work nearly as well on my Mom.

PS ~ chicken nuggets don't taste nearly as good when they are served with a cold side of guilt.

Monday, November 28, 2011

Got Milk?

I learned so much today at Dairy Discovery.
I saw cows eat, pee & poop (not necessarily in that order).
I fed a calf from a giant bottle & much like all the other babies I know, they didn't mind sharing just a little sip with me (there was plenty to go around, no need for them to eat like a cow).
Finally, we visited the milking station...and that's when the fun began.
After the teacher took the "milkers" off the cow, she showed us where the milk came from.  She even drank right from the spraying cow.
Wanting to get in on that action, I walked next to the source & she squirted the warm, unpasteurized drink directly into my mouth.  That's when I saw them...ALL FOUR OF THEM!
I wiped my chin & yelled "PENIS MILK" (much to the teacher's amusement).
She said she had never heard it called that.
Really?  It just seems obvious.

Hang On

SWEEEEEEEET! I just discovered the BEST THING EVER!
After opening the door into the garage & directing me to get into the car, my Mom realized that she had forgotten her purse inside the house.  She then pressed the garage door opener & turned around to go back in the house to get her purse.

Seeing the door rise was all I needed to conjure up the idea that I should grab onto that baby & see where it takes me.  I ran to the door & grabbed the bottom lip for what was to be an AWESOME RIDE!

My Mom returned to find me dangling from the open door like a trained chimp.  I have decided that I have amazing finger strength and, I should mention, my Mom moves pretty fast in 3 inch heels.

Told you it was sweet!

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Double Meaning

Having impeccable manners is just how I was raised.  So naturally, when my nose decides it has a mind of it's own and it runs uncontrollably, I need to take care of it.
I didn't realize that politely asking someone to help me with this task would cause such a stir.
After getting a Kleenex, I nicely asked my cousin, "BLOW ME?".
Upon hearing this, my Mother quickly tried to correct my question and said, "Please, help me wipe my nose."
No.  I meant, "BLOW ME."  No wiping, just blowing.
Once the laughter subsided, I thought, why is this so funny?
Then I decided, I didn't care.  Funny is funny, so I will make a song out of it.
It goes a little something like this...
"Blow Me, Blow Me, Blow Me, dadadadadadada.  Blow Me, Blow Me, Blow Me, dadadadadada." (repeat)

I sang this all morning, all during our shopping trip to Meijer and all through lunch.
My Mom has decided to try to ignore me.  Good luck, it's a catchy little ditty.

Feel free to sing along & teach others with uncontrollably runny noses the same song.  Maybe, just maybe they will get someone to help them out too!

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Thanksgiving...Preschool Style

Today I was allowed to join the big kids at their annual "Preschool Thanksgiving Celebration".  We ate applesauce, cinnamon muffins, cheese cubes & mini sausages (as for me, LOTS of mini sausages).
While dining on this feast, the little boy sitting next to my Mom pointed at me and asked her:
"Is that yours?"
Her reply: "Yes.  Would you like him?"
Boy: "No thanks, I have one at home."
Mom: "A little brother?"
Boy: "No, a dog."
Mom: "?Hmm? He's not a dog. Why would you say that?"
Boy: "Because he's eating his muffin off the floor & he bit me while we were waiting in the food line."
Mom: "Oh.  I guess you're right."
Boy: "I usually am."

Now, I feel compelled to tell you that said boy pushed me out of the line to get the mini sausages (my sister even saw), and THAT was the straw that broke the camel's back.
NEVER get between a boy & his food or I WILL go canine on your ass!

Table Manners

My  parents really struggle with the fine line between consistently teaching good table manners & just giving in and laughing at my antics.  Frankly, sometimes it's just TOO DAMN FUNNY NOT TO LAUGH!
Anyone want to join us for dinner?

Monday, November 21, 2011

Church Itinerary

I love Church!
My parents, on the other hand, think it's the most exhausting hour of the week.

This was Sunday's itinerary:
I sang "Ring-Around-The-Rosie" during "hold hands" time (though everyone else seemed to be talking about "Our Father").
I sang "Happy To You" (my own rendition of "Happy Birthday") when the newly baptized babies got their candles lit.
I accused Riley of pooping her pants during "shake your neighbors hand" time.
I laughed hysterically & yelled "TOOTIE! 'SCUSE YOU", when Avery farted during "close your eyes, fold your hands & be quiet" time.

My parents moved me to the "behind the glass" area so Fr. Len couldn't hear me anymore.  So I had to yell, "PEACE TO YOU, FADER LEN" for the remainder of Church so he would know I was still there.

I think a good time was had by all...all but my parents.
I can't wait til next Sunday!

I Always Listen

Mother, when you tell me to "put my water in the cup holder", please remember that I am 2 and I ALWAYS do exactly what I'm told.
So, after taking the top off of my water bottle, I filled the cup holder with the water & proceeded to use it as a splash pad for the remainder of the car ride home.
Thanks for the great idea & the 15 minutes of entertainment.

Pushing Buttons

In the time it took my mom to get out of the car & see my sister onto the bus, I was easily able to lock the car doors & call my new friend at On-Star Emergency.  When the nice gentleman asked "what's your emergency?", I simply replied "I push buttons".

My Mom agrees.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Going To School

Every morning, my Mom drags me to the bus stop to see my oldest sister off to school.  Now I don't know what this magical place is yet, but today I was determined to find out.
There are at least 40 kids waiting on the corner to squeeze onto the magic yellow tube, so I figured no one would notice if I made it 41.
I patiently waited in the back of the line, pretending to wave good bye to my sister and casually looking over my shoulder to see if I was in the clear.  The time had come; I saw an opening & I made my move.  Cutting off the poor soul that was about to step foot onto the bus, I finagled my way up the steps, only to be greeted by a very large "stop" hand & some words from a bus driver who's second language is barely English.
I think I could have made it past the smiley guard, but my Mom (the "buzz kill" queen) scooped me up, apologized, & led me back home.
Defeated, I wouldn't even hold that woman's hand.
Someday...Someday I'll get to that magical place called school & I'm sure I will never want to leave.

4 Boys = No Brains At All

Once each week I have a little get-together with the fellas.  We call it "Buddy Days".  This week my three amigos came over for some fun & as an added bonus, we discovered a very important lesson...

If three boys are doing something, it doesn't take much to convince the fourth boy to join in.

Today, it just happened to be three of us wearing Lightening McQueen undies, so we pressured boy #4, still clad in diapers, to join us in the next step towards manhood.
We then decided to test the waters & take it to the next level.  Three of us were hiding under the table sticking stickers to its underside, again, boy #4 felt compelled to join in.

So I have to wonder, how far will this go in the future?
By age 6, we'll all be peeing (or worse) in the woods behind the house.
By age 10, we'll see who can come up with the most disgusting, vulgar or inappropriate thing to say.
By age 17, we'll want to challenge each other to some spontaneous drag-races down Grand River.
By age 21, we'll have chugging contests and keg stands to prove just how much Natty Light we can handle.
By age 33, when we are married, have children of our own and know better, we'll be at a respectable Christmas party, have a few too many cocktails and challenge each other to a "squat competition" on our make-shift squat rack in the garage.
All it will take is three boys doing it & it suddenly sounds like a really good idea to the fourth.

Like my Nanny always says, "One Boy = One Brain, Two Boys = 1/2 Brain, Three Boys = Barely a Brain, Four Boys = No Brain At All."

As far as I am concerned, brains just get in the way of fun, so bring on the challengs & the four of us will be running the country in a few decades.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

It's On!

Forgetting that I was not required to use a toilet for the duration of time spent with my Nanny & Pappy, my mom tried to take me out for some necessary errands and then to story time wearing just underpants.  Upon arrival, she was reminded that I will do what I want, when I want...even if that means in my car seat.
True to form, she toweled me off in the library parking lot, put a spare diaper on me & marched my bare-legged behind into story time.  Picture this...a diaper, a blue thermal shirt, blue & white striped socks, and that's it.  She didn't even bother to put on my cool boots!
What am I, some sort of W.T. baby who snacks on his own runny nose & bathes in puddles?
I have a reputation to uphold!  How am I supposed to be taken seriously with all that baby padding?  I saw some of my peeps, and couldn't explain my appearance, so I just pretended to be a dog.
She made a half-hearted effort to ask a few other moms with boys about my size if they had any spare pants, with no success.  So there I sat, in nothing but a Target-Brand diaper, forced to sing "The Itsy-Bitsy Spider" and listen to Ms. Jaque read another book upside down.

If you think this game of tug-o-war is over, you have another think coming, Lady.  IT'S ON!
You may have won the battle, but I will surely dominate in the war!

PS-If you think high-fructose-corn-syrup stuck to a toilet bowl via ketchup is hard to get off, just wait & see what's in store for you when I wake up from my nap...

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Caught "Red" Handed

As usual, my Mom was a bit too distracted during the preparation of my hot dog, grapes, carrots & string cheese lunch.  It wasn't until she was looking for a particular condiment that she noticed my absence.  In her search, she came across this scene straight out of a horror film & no doubt had a momentary panic attack...

Upon further investigation (and the overwhelming smell of tomatoes), she deducted it was merely ketchup.
Fearing that this act may be frowned upon in this establishment, I found refuge in my favorite hiding place, the washing machine.  Little did I know, she also knows that this is my favorite hiding place (not to mention, I left a trail of tiny red footprints to my hideout), and I was caught "red" handed.

Monday, November 14, 2011

New Habits

It's been said that it takes 21 days to form a habit...I beg to differ.
In the course of just one week, I have managed to form two very entertaining habits...at least I think so.

1) Did you know that a dining table makes the perfect stage?  I do now.
I insist on standing on the table and singing my new favorite song: "Booty, Booty, Booty!", preferably during meal time.  I was unaware that a counter-height table would make such an ideal platform to preform, so thank you to all that allowed this discovery (you know who you are ;)

2) After taking a drink of any liquid, I insist on holding it in my cheeks chipmunk-style until someone notices.  The first to notice is usually the one on the receiving end of my mouth sprinkler.  That is unless everyone notices (which is my preference) and then it's like a game of Russian-Roulette, and the first to make me laugh hard enough gets sprayed.

PS~I think my Mom is secretly trying to video these fantastic new habits because she finds them just as hilarious as I do, but she would NEVER admit it.  Keep your eyes peeled for a video uplink soon, I think she's looking to meet Bob Saggat on AFHV.

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Welcome Home

Someone forgot to mention they would be taking a 9 day trip to somewhere that made them really brown and even more smiley.  That's right, my parents left me for over a week in the loving care of my Grandma & Grandpa for 4 days & my Nanny & Pappy for 5 days (at least they still love me).
Not that I'm complaining about the accommodations...
*I got to wear a diaper again, and talk about freedom.  No need to stop anything I was doing to use the pesky toilet.
*I ate whatever, whenever I wanted.
*I learned that "Curious George" is not only a hilarious kids show, but also a useful resource for "Curious Brennan" should I require new ideas when it comes to getting into trouble.
*I had a personal "slave" to follow me around and take care of my every need (Although, I think this perk was more out of fear that I may or may not set the house on fire on a whim).
*I learned the manipulation of Self-Inflicted Time-Outs, and it goes a little something like this:
1) I push, hit, bite, or in general, terrorize some unsuspecting soul;
2) I yell "Time-Out" and throw myself to the ground in an artificially induced fit;
3) Approximately 4 seconds later, say "Sorry" to said soul (remorse not necessary);
4) Repeat steps 1-3 at will.  Works like a charm.
*I learned that it doesn't take long for my Nanny to "just rest her eyes for a minute" while my sister quickly turns me into a cat with a little help from Crayola...

















As a punishment, I have decided to call my male parental unit "Tony" and completely ignore my female parental unit.  As in: "Tony, wake up!", "Tony, take me potty!", "Tony, where my breakfast?"  I'll throw the other one a glance at times, only enough to make her feel guilty, though.
We'll see how many trips they plan in the near future.

Welcome Home, Tony & You.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Withdrawal

I. NEED. MORE. CANDY!
While taking my sister outside for her carpool ride, my Mom left me alone with my NEW addiction & I found "the stash".  I couldn't help myself, I jumped right in the bucket & dug in.
While still chewing the Twix and Hershey Kiss, I shoved a Twizzler in.  I don't even need to chew, just ingest.

Why would such a "holiday" be created?  It's like having "national crack day" & giving everyone just one hit for free.  You know they will come back for more...they have to.
Now my Mom is cutting me off COLD TURKEY!  I saw her dump the bucket of goodness in the trash...THE WHOLE BUCKET!  Now what am I supposed to do?  Maybe toothpaste has some high fructose corn syrup, I can lick the bathroom counters and get at least a few grams.

I can already feel the shakes coming on!  WHY?!?  Just one hit to help with the withdrawal!
Someone, Anyone, PLEASE bring me some candy.  I will pay, oh, I will pay plenty!

Searching...       
JACKPOT!!!

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Women: Lesson 3

"Everything I need to know about women, I learned from THE B!"
Lesson 3:
Being only 2, I don't claim to know much about women, but this much I know to be true:
1) There's usually a method to their madness.
And,
2) "The Look" followed by, "I told you so" is just about the most humbling statements they can utter.

Take it from me fellas, when a women nicely "asks" you to do something, don't question, just say "Yes, Dear" and move on.

*For a practical application of this lesson, see: "Disappearing Act X 10 + Danger = Near Heart Attack"

Disappearing Act X 10 + Danger = Near Heart Attack

My Mom still wonders why my Dad questions her decisions to do things.
For example...my car seat is placed in the third row of her SUV.  Why?  If you recall, I enjoy rolling down the widow & making my shoes disappear.
On this particular day, in a hasty rush, my Dad put my seat in the middle row & neglected to enable the "child safety lock" on the door.  I quietly took off my shoes and grabbed two books.  While traveling at a swift 45 MPH, the overhead lights and the loud dinging from the alert system notified my parents that I had thrown open the door & almost simultaneously out went my sandals & the books.
After the screaming stopped, the panic subsided , and she determined her pulse was at an acceptable rate, my Mom gave my Dad "The Look".

As a follow-up, see "Women: Lesson 3, Everything I need to know about women, I learned from THE B!'"