"It's scary."

This expression has crept into Quinn's vocabulary in the past few months and can seemingly fit any occasion. When we switched the rooms this last week, he was rather legitimately scared by the new shadows and shapes in the dark. Other times, like this morning, his room is scary when I ask him to go into it and pick up his books before he watches Star Wars. Our son can be wonderfully independent and at other times, fear spaces that are too big, open or empty without an adult present.

"Mommy said" or "Daddy said"

I don't think that little ones could apply the term white lie to what they do, but they do have the capability to misrepresent things-- and if the results work for them, I think they pull that trick out again. Quinn will often want to make a case for himself or something he wants to his Dad or I. At these moments, he will sometimes explain that "Mommy said I could" or that Daddy also acquiesced, even if such conversations never took place. Luke and I are smart enough to corroborate any such testimony, but it is an interesting habit. I suppose he hears how people make cases for things or try to get their way and that's what he thinks he is to do. We don't ever use the word "lie" when we talk with them, we just gently check sources and correct when we need to. Funny kid.

Elbows and ears. Quinn has always been a marvelously affectionate little boy, a very good snuggler and cuddler. At present, he loves to kiss his father's ears and leave wet traces there and for me, it's my elbows. He loves to pinch and pull at the lose skin there. He gives many, many kisses and loves to be held. In the past week I've managed to steer clear of all piggy backs, but for a while there, his morning descent to the first floor was generally a piggy back from one of his loyal parents. The same can be said for his entrance into school. Now that the weather is nice, he likes to run in, but the piggy backs were pretty popular for a bit. Best get ready for school!