Three Tales from the Adorable Files

Tale #1: Snakes

In May, we visited Pennsylvania for Dan & Meg's wedding.  While we were there, we spent a lot of time with Owen checking out the small pond in Pops & Nonnie's back yard.  This pond is full of frogs and fish, but what Owen picked up on the most clearly was Nonnie talking about the time she saw a snake in it.  After this trip, we spent several weeks talking about snakes--What do snakes say?  (Hisssss.)  Where do snakes sleep?  (The Pond.)  What's in the pond?   (Snakes.)  What do snakes eat?  (Grass.)  Etc.  In June, Nonnie brought Owen some colorful toy snakes to play with.  What a hit!  The snakes went in the bath, in the yard, and most especially in (and out of, and in again, and out of again) a bucket.  

Then in July, I got a new book for Owen, the Fisher Price Little People "lift the flap" book called Let's Go to the Zoo.  (As an aside, anyone who is shopping for a gift for a 2 year old cannot go wrong with these books. They are a delight for kids and parents too.)  Page 1 of Let's Go to the Zoo features many cartoonishly rendered zoo animals in various hiding places.  Including snakes.  

One day shortly after we got this book, Owen and I are exploring this page.  He was kind of spaced out, not really paying attention to my questions or lifting up any of the flaps.  After a few minutes, I asked him what he was thinking about.  

He lifted up the flap for the snakes and pointed at one, shook his head and said "Snakes...  no ears."  

Tale #2: Necklace

Last week I was wearing a necklace with a large, shiny blue mother-of-pearl pendant.  I came home from work and sat down on the couch and Owen ran over to me saying OOOooohhhhh... neck!  And grabbing my necklace.  I said, "Yes that's my necklace. Don't pull!"  

Owen started kissing the pendant.  I said, "Why are you kissing it, silly boy?"  

"Neck-kiss," said Owen.

Tale #3: Lights
Owen's birthday was Tuesday, and he also had a small party on Sunday morning.  For his birthday, of course we had rainbow cupcakes and sang happy birthday for him!  He even blew out his candles.

Last night Owen asked for cake as soon as he sat down to dinner, and we bargained until he ate one chicken nugget and about 2.5 strawberries before getting the promised cake.  I cut a cupcake in half and put it on a plate for him.  

Wrong!!!  WAAAAAAAAhhhhhhh!!!  Crushing disappointment!  This cake was WRONG WRONG WRONG!!  Owen was so upset.  He tried to throw the plate with the cupcake off the table.  

Did you want a whole cupcake?  I offered him a whole one.  NO!  NO NO NO! 

Finally I asked him to settle down and tell me in words what the problem was, so I could fix it.  He gestured wildly at the other side of the kitchen, boo-hooing.  Cake! Cake!  No no no!  Finally he gets out...  Yights!  (That translates to 'lights,' by the way.)  

Lights???  What?  Do you want me to turn on the lights in the kitchen?  

Nooooo.   Very sad crying.  Big tears.  

Finally, it dawns on me.  

Ohhhh....  do you want candles on your cake?  

YES!   Yeaaaaaahhh!  Candle!  

He didn't know the word.  I can't describe what its like when one of these communication moments happens and Owen has made himself understood.  He's so sublimely pleased that you've finally caught up to what he means.  He does this crazy pressured low giggle and squinches up his entire face and throws back his head with glee.  

So, we lit the candles and sang happy birthday, and he blew them out...  three times.  He didn't touch the cake.  I only dragged him away to his bath with the promise of more candles tonight.