Read to Me

Daniel is reading to Mommy before bed these days.  He likes to point to the words on the page as he "reads" each one deliberately. The title page is a favorite.  We have several small (6 page) board books that Daniel holds, flips through forward and backward as he describes the pictures.  When he's finished, he closes the book and asks "Do you like that story?" 

Another favorite book these days is "The Tawny-Scrawny Lion".  Reading it now, I find the vegetarian theme pretty funny.  Daniel will whip up a batch of "carrot stew" for Mom and Dad in his play kitchen.  The critical ingredient to his version is "tools" (nuts, bolts, nails from his tool box).

In other news, the frequency & intensity of tantrums has increased.  Most of what I read says he's right on schedule as this difficult behavior generally ramps up at 2.5 years.  Though it's a good indication that he's developing normally, the histrionics are frustrating.  Last night, the big outburst centered around wanting to ride in Grandma and Grandpa's car as they were headed home for the evening.  As an added bonus, it was bedtime so staying with Mom and Dad also meant putting on pajamas and brushing teeth - not favorite activities these days.  Yelling, tears, feet stomping, the works.  I tried the "Happiest Toddler on the Block" technique of connecting with respect which snapped him out of the tantrum.  But, when Grandma and Grandpa actually left and we had to get ready for bed, some of the emotions flared up again.  Daniel didn't completely lose it again but the battles are tiring.

Skippyjon Jones

Daniel and I have been reading "Skippyjon Jones" before bed lately and for his 2.5 "un"birthday, Daddy got Daniel his very own Skippyjon Jones doll.  Daniel's favorite part of the story is when Alfredo Buzzito (the Bumblebeeto Bandito) POPS! on Skippyjon's sword and beans come pouring out.  When we're not reading the story, Daniel will recount parts of it to me.  His favorite lines: "Not your beans!" and "Dude just wants his beans back."  He also likes to list all the kinds of beans: pinto beans, coffee beans, jelly beans, "bacon" (baked) beans...

The Skippyjon doll gets thrown around a LOT.  Jarl's theory is that since Skippyjon jumps on his bed quite a bit in the story, Daniel is recreating that experience by chucking him throughout the house.  Daniel likes to throw Skippyjon, exclaim "ouch!" and cackle wildly as he scoops up the doll and throws him again.

Ding Dong...Can I Come In?

Daniel has engaged in some rather elaborate pretend play over the last week.  The best example (and one I get to participate in) involves pretending to visit a fast food restaurant.  It starts with Daniel at the doorway (usually to the bedroom) and goes like this:

     Daniel: Ding-dong! <pressing on the door frame>  Can I come in to Burger King?

     Mommy: Yes, please come in.

     Daniel: Nice to see you.

     Mommy: Nice to see you.  What can I get you today?

     Daniel: French fries

     Mommy: Oh! Sounds good. <makes food>  Here you go.

     Daniel: <takes food from Mommy's hand> Hot?

     Mommy: Yes - you may want to blow on them before you eat them.

     Daniel: <blows on food then eats>

     Mommy: Does it taste good?

     Daniel: Good!  B-bye!

     Daniel: <at the door> Make you a burger next time!

Then the exchange is repeated.  On Saturday, we must have done this about a dozen times.  Sometimes, we pretend we're at Jimmy Johns or McDonalds or the pizza place.  We make whatever food we're most likely to order at these places. 

Strawberries... Forever.

Daniel was singing the chorus from 'Strawberry Fields Forever' at the dinner table tonight. He did it several times. Neither Christy or I are quite sure where he picked it up. I know he's heard it a few times, on the radio (thank you, 'Breakfast with the Beatles'), but I think this is the first bitlet of a pop song that I've heard him sing aloud, solo. His musician Dad sees this as a milestone. I'm very proud of him!

Christy points out that he was singing, "Strawberries... Forever."

Selective Hearing

Note, from the Ice Cream store shenanigans this afternoon:

Begun, the selective hearing has.