reverse psychology

Michael's temper can frequently be pretty terrible. Terrible 2's a few months early, I guess.

Sometimes it's fun, though, because reverse psychology actually works. Once at story time I wanted him to sit by himself and not on my lap. I said I wanted to sit on the sun on the carpet by myself. Michael, as predicted, said, "I'll do it" and he went and sat on the sun that he thought I wanted to sit on.

Once, at dinner, I wanted him to eat a few more bites when he was all done. So I told him he was all done and took his bowl away. Of course, he screamed for it back and ate some more.

The best part about reverse psychology is that he thinks he's getting the best of me.

Story time boycott

I went with Enoch to story time at the library. Many songs are sung there, which Enoch often sings at home. It's interesting, however, that he never sings along or dances or participates in any way during the actual story time at the library. The whole time he was looking down at the ground.

I think he's probably too young to feel that it's not cool, so it seems that he's just extremely shy or embarrassed to participate.

The interesting part is that Michael does the exact same thing. And Michael is often very outgoing, so I wonder if it's a behavior he has learned from Enoch. Or is he also shy, too? Or do both boys just think the whole thing is dumb?

The thing is, if I were them I probably wouldn't want to participate, either. As far as I can remember, I've always thought that kind of thing is dumb. But my memory is really shaky going back to when I was 3, and I would assume 2 and 3 year olds are too young for thoughts like that.

Determination 2

I wrote earlier about Michael going without dinner. He did it again the next day. He had 4 helpings of green beans and wanted some more. I told him he had to eat some taquito, too. He wanted green beans. I told him the rest of the green beans were for mommy, that he had to share. Sharon ate them, and he cried the rest of dinner, refusing to eat taquitos. We didnt give him anything else.

The next morning he wanted a big spoon to eat breakfast with. There weren't any left, so I gave him a small one. He refused to eat. I thought it was hilarious that he went without dinner and was also willing to go without breakfast if it meant getting his way. I don't think Enoch was ever this determined / stubborn.

Playing together

Yesterday Enoch and Michael were fighting constantly over the Duplos, mostly about the different cars. I took the Duplos away and said that since they couldn't share then nobody could play with them anymore for the rest of the day.

Interestingly, for the rest of the day they were both playing together a lot more than usual. And it was fun, imaginative play. Putting the laundry basket on each other's heads, etc. I think it's important to have time for that, with no TV or structured activities. It made me happy to see them having fun together.

Yay for ambulance and firetruck that replaced icecream truck/cone

Michael has been praying for icecream truck/cone since he learned to pray. Yesterday he said his first prayer without "icecream truck/cone" involved and all by himself. He said "Heavenly father, we're grateful for ambulance, firetruck. Please bless mommy, please bless Enoch, to be happy". Yay for ambulance and firetruck!

Determination

Yesterday I made the kids eat two slices of cucumber and a slice of mushroom with ranch dressing before they ate the rest of dinner. Enoch ate it no problem and proceeded to eat the rest of dinner. Michael refused. I didn't give in, and he didn't get any dinner. Afterwards, he was happy to get down and play with his toys. He didn't wake up during the night hungry, either. You would never have known he skipped his dinner. I think he has no regrets about it. For him, the independence of not having to eat his cucumbers and mushrooms was much more important and gratifying than eating the rest of dinner. We've got a determined 22 month old!

The ladies

Michael seems to like and get along well with the ladies. There's two girls that are about Enoch's age named Camilla Transtum and Violet Harper. Michael plays with both of them, shares toys with them, holds their hands, and is a real sweetie pie. If he keeps this up he'll have no problem attracting the ladies' affections.

Once at Violet's house he got sad and Violet went to comfort him. He hugged her. Sharon joked and said give Violet a kiss. He kissed her on the lips.

Getting big.

Biting

Sharon said yesterday Michael bit Enoch because he wanted a toy Enoch was playing with. Heard he was a terror to put in timeout but then was an angel afterwards.

First bloody nose

This was about a month ago.

Singing "Ring around the Rosie"

More prayers about ice cream yesterday. We rarely eat ice cream. Maybe he's desparate?

Ice cream cone

Part of Michael's dinner prayer today: 很感谢 ice cream cone!

Nursery and a fit

Michael is still hesitant about nursery and cries whenever it's time to go. He doesn't like leaving mommy.

He had another 20 minute crying fit after his nap today. Lasted until several minutes into dinner, when he suddenly started eating and was instantly sweet and happy as ever for the rest of the night.

Michael still manages to pray for the ice cream truck or ice cream cone whenever he prays. It's hilarious. He usually says something like "请祝福冰淇淋车 ice cream cone!"

Grumpy

Michael had another one of his 20 minute crying spits after waking up from his nap yesterday. He seems to like to do that, especially if mom is too busy to hold him. I had to give Enoch and him a bath as soon as he woke up, because Sharon and I were going out for the night bowling and wouldn't be able to give him one later. He cried through the entire bath, prostrating himself on the tub whenever he could.

Amazingly, both he and Enoch went to bed when the babysitter told them to without crying. While they like to try and manipulate us, I love how well behaved they are with other people. Great kids.