I remember, long ago during some idyllic moment in my life, thinking that I would never, ever say those four words to my kiddos. I even thought that just a few months ago. Heck, I might have thought that two or three weeks ago.Ellie is a great little conversationalist. She's usually very happy to listen to banter back and forth with us. She's an inquisitive kiddo and that's a great thing. We want her to talk to us, ask questions and learn to converse. Heaven knows, I talk enough. I'm pretty sure this is God's way of rewarding me for being the talker that I can be. Or just some kind of joke on me.
One thing we have learned, though, is that if Jennifer and I are in the car together, there is no way that she and I can talk for more than about 30 seconds without Ellie deciding that she needs to tell Mommy something. She'll peep up with "Excuse me.... Excuse me..." We'll stop talking and ask her "Yes, Ellie?" And then we'll get some random question about the Backyardigans or Thomas the Tank Engine. Or "Where is the sun/moon/that airplane she saw 5 minutes ago. It's pretty funny in a way. I still ask a lot of questions as an adult. Ask Jennifer. But we've learned that, if we have anything important to talk about, during a car ride is usually not the place to get it done. It used to take a lot to shut me up. Now, I just need a talkative 3 year old riding along with me.
Fortunately, Campbell is quite content to sit in her car seat just babbling with the occasional grunting for a cookie or pointing at her penguin stuffed animal that she threw on the floor. She can't say "Excuse me.... Excuse me...." Yet.
But after a while, especially when we're in the car, it turns into the Battle of Why with Ellie.
Ellie: Where are we going Daddy?
Me: To the grocery store.
Ellie: Why?
Me: Because we have run out of things we need like milk.
Ellie: Why?
Me: Because you and Campbell drank it all.
Ellie: Why?
Me: Because we played all morning and you worked up a big thirst.
Ellie: Why?
Me: Because playing too hard dehydrates you.
Ellie: Why?
Me: Because playing hard makes you hot and so you sweat.
Ellie: Why?
Me: Because your body heats up and the evaporation of sweat cools you off.
Ellie: Pool? Pool! Pool?
Me: No, I said cool, not pool. We're not going to the pool.
Ellie: Why?
Me: Because it's too cold.
Ellie: Why?
Me: Because it's winter.
Ellie: Why?
Me: Because we live in the northern hemisphere and we get less direct sunlight.
Ellie: Why?
Me: Because I said so.
Ellie: Why?
Me: Hey, do you want to listen to some "Jack's Big Music Show" music?
Ellie: Why?
Bless her heart.
