How to win a daddy's heart

This evening, Mr M was working at the computer. The door was open, but the gate was set up across the doorway to keep small children out. For whatever reason, little S decided he needed to be inside the gate. He was inconsolably crying at the gate and wailing, "Down. DOWN!"

I broke down first and lifted little S over the gate, holding him on my lap. He was NOT content with me and kept crying, "Dad! DAAAAAAAAD!" I set him down and he trotted over to Mr M, looked up at him with tears in his eyes, and said, "Football. I want football. I want football. I want football" over and over until Mr M couldn't ignore him anymore.

Mr M was amazed and delighted and smooched Scottie's head.

Did I mention that he's not quite 18 months? Is this kid going to be a superfan or what? To be fair, I should mention that he had previously watched a football video on his dad's lap, but who knew it had made such an impression.

Yikes.

Superman

Ethan loves his Superman pajamas. He loves them so much that he would wear them all day every day if we let him. He is especially fond of the long red cape that attaches with velcro to his shoulders.

Last night, he came to me in his Superman get-up, needing help to put on the cape.

"Look, Mom, now I'm Superman!" he exclaimed with delight.

Great, I was thinking, I wish Superman did dishes. I just smiled at him and turned to the sink.

A few moments later, I heard a thump and a wail. "MOM!" he cried in a pathetic voice. "I'm not Superman, I'm Ethan, and I hurt my bottom!"

Tree Ladle Picks

One of the things I loved (and still love) about family reunions is hearing my uncle recite Ladle Rat Rotten Hut. Lo and behold, I found out that the very talented author and illustrator, Andrea Steele, lives in my ward and she has done several other stories in this same vein. They are loads of fun and Ethan loves them, too.