The word "no"

I wrongly assumed a lot of things about raising children prior to having one. One of those wrong assumptions was that children said the word "no" a lot because they heard it a lot. I have now revised my view on that.

Elijah loves the word "no" and I think it's mostly because it's a fun word to say. It's not hard to put all the sounds together and it quite clearly communicates your point.

However, he doesn't really know how to use the word. Ask him a question and he's likely to say "no". Are you hungry? No. (But ask him if he wants a banana and he's sure to toddle off to the kitchen in search of said fruit.) Do you want to read a book? No. (And then he toddles off to get a book.)

We have tried not to use the word "no" to avoid this little trap we've gotten into. We say things like other 21st Century parents "we don't do that" or "let's choose another activity". Apparently you can't avoid the word no.

And to be quite honest, it's funny. He says things with such conviction that if you didn't know better, you'd be quite certain that he felt strongly about the topic.

Oh well, as we've been saying for the past year and a half, this too shall pass.

Spring in Manitoba

Some pictures of Elijah

I got hit by a cold this week that was more annoying than anything because I couldn't take anything for it. I have tried a variety of alternative methods in coping with a cold. (I'm still wondering about the Neti pot...) So since I have nothing but illness to report, I may as well just provide you with cute pictures of the little guy.

He LOVES books. This brings joy to my heart everytime I see him.

He has taken to sitting on balls. (Recently he got a balloon and was trying to sit on that. I had to put a stop to that as I am scared of balloons popping and I didn't want my fear to transfer to my son when he popped his first balloon by sitting on it.)

Some good old Manitoba spring weather. Perfect for finding puddles to splash in.

Neighbours ugly vehicle still there. Good thing cute boy is in the picture.

He loves building with his Mega Blocks. He could sit and build for amazingly long periods of time. Makes me wonder what he'll do when he grows up.