The Negotiator

I know this is common with kids but didn't think it would happen so soon...
When we spank Tjabe now, we explain how he disobeyed and then tell him "Because you disobeyed I'm going to give you three spankings (or sometimes more)." His response lately is "No Momma, 2 spankings."
As if it were up for discussion.

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Tjabe has taken up the habit of telling us "No!" or arguing when we tell him to do something. We are looking for different ways to combat this (something that might be more relevant or immediate than a spanking) so a friend recommended we try putting something that tastes bad (i.e. soap or vinegar) into his mouth when he says things that are disrespectful. Sam and I tried it the other night when he told us "No" after being asked to do something. We gave him a teaspoon of vinegar and explained why (not that he understood). Problem is, I think he liked the vinegar. He had a pretty shocked look at first (Sam and I had to turn away so he couldn't see us laughing), then his expression was kind of like, "Mmmm, I might like some more of that." So I'll let you know how the soap pans out next time.

Misc Pictures

This is my response to not blogging for a while. Here are a bunch of random pictures of Tjabe, some from several months ago, merely to satisfy those of you jonesin' for photos.

Typical Tjabe activity, looking for birds out the living room window (we have a little stream/field area in that direction)

Tjabe with good buddies Izzy and David

Tjabe birding with Momma (a few weeks ago)

Tjabe hiking with Daddy on the same trip

In case you hadn't heard, Tjabe can fly, but only backwards. And in the seated position.

In February he was going through a phase where he liked being rolled up in this big blanket we have. Then he liked to roll Mommy up in it (I'm standing next to him waiting for my turn).

This one is from the end of January - he found our hymnal and decided to perform a little concert for us in the middle of the kitchen floor. He's actually singing here.

They get more than we think...

There is something to be said for having your kids sit through church, although I realize this isn't ideal for every situation. Tjabe is definitely getting something out of it though. Despite the times we have had to take him out for being noisy or disruptive during the service, it's things like what happened at lunch today that make it all worth it.
The two of us (Tjabe and I) were sitting at the table having taco salad for lunch. I had grated some cheddar cheese on our salads, and Tjabe picked up a shred of cheese and said, "Mommy, watch." Then he held one end of this tiny piece of cheese between the thumb and forefinger of each hand and ceremoniously broke the cheese in half. He held up each half and said, "Body Jesus broken." It was an exact imitation of what our pastor does every Sunday when he breaks the loaf of bread at the beginning of communion (minus the more eloquent discourse). It is so great to see him retaining things from the service, even if he doesn't completely understand what they all mean yet.

Either that or he's a heretic who truly believes that the body of Christ is represented in cheddar cheese. I'm going with the former.