Glad to have her on my side...

This morning I had to drop off Clara at daycare in the bike trailer. Which involved dragging my muddy bike up the narrow basement stairs. And of course, I was wearing white pants.

Anyway, I'm doing my best to resist the urge to swear as the handlebars get caught on coats & bags hanging on hooks in the stairwell, since Clara's watching from the top of the stairs.

Somewhere along the way, I muttered "Stupid bike..." under my breath.

But it wasn't under my breath, because Clara replied: "I don't like it either."

Negotiations.

Last night, on our way home from Philip's end-of-year school picnic, Philip and Clara were arguing over whether they would have a bath or shower before bed. Clara wanted a shower. Philip wanted a bath. They just kept repeating themselves, louder and louder, and I was going crazier and crazier.

I half-jokingly suggested that they each take a turn to tell each other WHY they think a shower or bath would be better, and maybe they can agree. (Seriously, they're 2 & 4. I didn't count on it working or anything.)

This conversation followed:

Clara: Philip, we should have a shower because we can wash with slippery soap. And drop it. And laugh.
Philip: (who had ignored her argument altogether) No - we should have a bath.
Clara: Oh yeah? Why?
Philip: Because it's more fun!
Clara: More fun? Yeah?
Philip: And we can play with our toys. And fill our buckets.
Clara: Oh yeah - it's FUN to do that!
Philip: So THAT's why we should have a bath tonight.
Clara: (who is now done listening patiently) Sorry buddy. We're having a shower.

Muscles.

Clara was trying to open a tub of play-doh. She was struggling with it. She asked Philip to help, but he was too busy watching Spiderman or something.

Eventually, she got it open, and exclaimed:
"I did it! I opened it!" ... beaming. Then she added "I have big muscles for that."

Clara's crush.

So, this isn't new or anything, but it's entertaining nonetheless.

Clara is in love with our cottage-neighbour's son.
He's 10.
She's 2.
Yes, I'm serious.

Whenever she sees him, she goes all shy, her eyes go all googly, she gets the biggest grin on her face, and she turns into a pile of teenage-in-love-goop. His name is Tyler, and I have to admit - he's pretty cute!

Rarely does a day go by when she doesn't mention him.

And far too often, when I tuck her in at night, and say "I love you Clara", she replies "I love Tyler."

Sigh.
I had no idea it would start already...

Expensive tastes at age 4

We had a busy day yesterday. I had to pick Philip up from daycare, take him to a 'welcome' event at his new school, have a quick dinner, and be at soccer by 6pm.

I decided it was a perfect opportunity to bribe him into co-operation with a Happy Meal.

So, when I got him from daycare, we had this conversation:

Me: Hi Philip! We're going to your new school to meet some teachers and see the class rooms, and then we'll have to have a super-fast dinner before soccer.
Philip: What are we having for dinner?
Me: We're going out, to a place you really like.
Philip: Sushi?!? Really?
Me: Uhm, no. McDonald's.

Seriously, how is it that I can no longer bribe my 4yr old with a $3 Happy Meal?