7 Sayings for Getting Me Tickled AND Making My Mom Mad -- lil e

Lent is upon us.  I'm thrilled.  I gave up doing the dishes because we are supposed to give up something that is really hard, and doing dishes is, and it is something I did every day.

I can't wait until next year when I get to pick another hard things to give up.

My Mom, however, isn't so lucky.  She's given up sugar and I couldn't be more thrilled.  This has meant a lot more Girl Scout cookies for me and Big E.  I've come up with a number of sayings already that will get her both mad at me so she tickles me all at the same time.

1.  "Mom, I saved a piece of Valentine's candy for you."
      "You did?"
      [dramatic pause]
      "Just kidding."

2.  "Mom, Dad brought you back a frozen yogurt from Tutti Fruitti."
     "I can't wait.  What kind?"
     "Mom, you gave up sugar you can't eat that!  I'm just kidding anyways."

3.  "Mom.  This thin mint is so good.  Do you see that I'm eating the whole bag and you don't get any?"

4.  "I can't wait for dessert tonight.  What are you going to have?"
     "I'm going to eat all of your candy."
     "No you're not.  You're just kidding.  You can't eat any sugar but I'M going to eat lots while you watch."

5.  "Mom, I'm not going to have dessert either."
     [dramatic pause]
     "just kidding."

6.  "Mom, do you see how all the cookies are almost gone?  You're not going to get any by the time lent if over."  (I can't help but smile on this one.)

7.  "Mom, do you want me to get you a dessert?  Oh wait, you can't have any.  Guess I'll have to eat yours."

This is the bestest time of year!  Did I mention that I can't wait for Lent next year?

Later,

lil e

Observing Lent -- Big E

We observe lent in our house.  Every year it's a struggle to first of all decide, do I add something or do I take it away and then secondly to decide, what? after first part is decided.

lil e and I decided this was our best year yet in the brainstorming phase.

Giving Up

Big E:
doing the dishes
cleaning the kitty litter
helping of any kind
picking up any clothes that are consistently on my floor
closing the dresser drawers that mysteriously are open when I come back in the afternoon

lil e:
listening to Mom's words (and Dad's too)
helping Daddy when he asks
doing chores for free
brushing my teeth
doing the dishes
"I won't shoot you dead, Mommy."  (to which Dad said maybe he needed to give up Pop music thanks to Maroon 5)

Both of us:
Bathing!!!!
(It is sooo overrated!)

Adding

Both of us:
Dessert three times a day
Getting paid to be a part of this family
Technology all day, every day
Legos, Legos and More Legos
Staying Up and Not going to bed (ADDING waking hours of the day)

Unfortunately, our parents didn't see any of these as options.

So, I, Big E will be giving up complaining (which will be sooo easy because let's face it, I never do it -- at least I never notice when I do it).  lil e, he thinks he's given up doing the dishes for which he is thrilled about and nothing else seems to have taken root as "counting for giving up."  He's thrilled and I'm, well, I'm not so thrilled.  I can't believe my parents aren't making him pick something else.  That is so easy.  That is not hard at all.  And that is so not fair.  Ooops.  Do you think this counts?  Surely writing complaints doesn't count.  We never said anything about writing them, or even thinking them, so I can't be breaking Lent (can I?) on this first day!?

Peace,

Big E

Now that I'm Five -- lil e

I've discovered a five year old mind is a bit smarter, more persuasive when you are only four.  While it's a bit hard to explain let me illustrate using examples.

Four year old mind:
M: Elisha we don't jump on the couch.
E:  How can you see me?  I wasn't 'cause you can't see me. 
M:  I can see everything.  We don't jump on the furniture.
E:  Why not?  I'm not hurting anything.  I'm not breaking anything.  This seems like a good idea.
M:  Don't argue with me.  What do you say?
E:  Oh mom.  Why not?
M:  Do you want a time out?
E:  No.  Okay. (sigh) Yes, Mom.  I won't jump on the furniture.

As a five year old:
M: Tell me why jumping from the table to the bean bag isn't okay.
E:  Pause before talking. What are you talking about?  It's okay.  It's fun.  I feel like I'm flying.  Um. 
                    Um.  Because I could hurt the bean bag?
M:  Very good.  That's right.
E:  But Mom.  It isn't going to pop.  It has room in it and it won't pop.  Do you want me to show you?
M:  Listen.  Are we supposed to even get up on the table?
E:  No.
M:  Do we put our feet on the table?
E:  No.  So can I put it at the bottom of the stairs?  I won't be on the table.
M:  Go find something else to play.  I don't want you jumping on the bean bag.
E:  There is nothing else to play.
M:  Then you need to go into your room until you come up with something.
E:  Oh, Mom.  I just thought of something.  I'm going to look in the garbage to see if I can make a new invention so I can throw it down the stairs with a napkin parachute.

I can definitely see five has it's advantages.

Later,

lil e