Out of the Mouths of Babes

Kids say the darnedest things, don't they? Caroline is no exception. She listens to every word you say - even if it looks like she's not paying attention. Then she repeats exactly what she hears and 99% of the time uses it in the correct context.

Lately as she's been a little mocking bird, I think "I need to quit saying that. I don't need her saying that at school." And, I don't necessarily mean certain four-letter words that she has picked up on so quickly. Other times I think "She must get that at school because I don't say that." Ha!

Here are some of the things she likes to repeat:

"Do you understand me?" When she's being bossy, she makes her point pointedly and follows it with "Do you understand me? OK?!"

"This is your last chance!" When I picked Caroline up from school one day last week her teacher said "Caroline had us laughing today at naptime." (That's when most parents cringe, right? I did.) The teacher continued, "Some kids weren't on their mat when we were trying to go down for nap and Caroline was standing up and pointing 'Get on your mat RIGHT NOW! This is your last chance!'"

"I'm ready to listen, Mommy." This usually comes in time out. I can only guess that she hears that at school. I don't think I say that (yet). She says this when she doesn't want to be in time out. And she may or may not be in time out for not listening.

An addition to the one above, today she told me "I'm ready to put my listening ears on, Mommy."

"One, two, three. Eyes on me." I don't think there's any explanation for this. But, I can safely say that this is not something I say to her.

"One last time!!" Obviously she says this when she thinks she's not done doing something. And I usually am telling her "That was the last time!"

"Do it again and I'm gonna spank!" Well, her school doesn't say that (I hope) but I do. And I know I probably shouldn't let her get away with (insert whatever) the first time, but 9 times out of ten it works and she stops.

Some that I can claim and are proud of: "You look beautiful!" (Substitute "gorgeous" or "pretty" depending on the mood.) "I am so proud of you!" "That's a great job!"

As you can see, she's a little "monkey see, monkey do". And I can truly say I wouldn't have it any other way. She keeps us in stitches and what's a day without laughter?