The Trying Three's Begin.

"No I's not"
 "I no like that Mommy"
 "No I can't"
 "It's too heabie"
"Because I just want to"

We hope to buy this swing set by the end of the month for the kiddos. Lainey really has no idea what is going on, but the thought of getting a swing set has worked wonders for Ellis' new "3 yr old" "I's a big boy" attitude. He has actually been eating his dinner, because his seat faces the back yard so we tell him where we might put the swing set if he is on best behavior. Which is good, because for I week I was sure he would starve to death. There is no consolation snacks if you don't eat your dinner in this house. There are starving kids, that get to eat the same thing everyday and are happy to have it.

 He didn't want to hang his laundry up this morning, I mentioned his behavior in relation to getting a swing set, and amazingly the shirts got hung in a speedy fashion. He is trying to be big and independent, and trying to shake any guidance from his momma dearest. I want him to have freedom to choose, but only as long as he knows I am the boss (oh and Brian too, I guess, but I am grand supreme boss, just kidding, not really). I have no intention of raising children that are not contributing members of society, and think that everybody should give them what they want just because the want it. I want to give him freedom to choose, but teach him that we don't always get what we want, and to be thoughtful of others. Plus he is a member of this family, and will contribute to chores, or whatever work needs to be done. I see qualities of entitlement and laziness in many of my peers and it is disgusting, I don't want my kids to be this way.

***With that being said if you are my friend, then I don't see this in you, because otherwise we wouldn't be friends :)

Oh Ellis, lets get through this stage sucessfully. The parenting books give a lot of advice, and often worry over squashing your spirit, whatever. I feel the most useful place for those is on top of a papertowel, on top of carpet cleaner, on top of a puke stain. I will tell you this, I will be patient through this phase, but I state this now, don't push it too far. I will try to be patient parenting, but the first sign you are turning into a permenant pill, not just a quick episode,  I will go dictator on you. I am the first Great and Grand child on my mother's side, and the bossy older sister. I know exactly what it feels like to get my way, and although with maturity I have left those ways behind me, I am sure they will come back if needed. I hear you son, I know you are a big boy as you say, but big boy or not "I's the momma".