Explorations of Disney, Sears, and "Bee"

I know that many kids say funny things, but I humbly suggest that Meredith is one of the funniest kids ever. I've been collecting quotes over the last few months and you can judge for yourself. Lucas is also starting to try some verbal communication, so I've got some details on that as well.

Enjoy!

***

One day Meredith was, apparently, thinking about preschool and her preferences, and she decided to project her feelings on Raffi (a children's singer) by singing the following "song" to me:

"Raffi prefers to stay home
And be sick all day
He doesn't want to go to preschool
He doesn't want to go to preschool
And he doesn't want to go to preschool
He doesn't want to
He doesn't want to go to school all day

Raffi doesn't want to go to school
He doesn't want to do anything
Raffi prefers to stay home
Raffi prefers to stay home

(this seemed like some sort of "bridge")
He doesn't want to do something right
He doesn't eat lunch
He doesn't eat supper
He doesn't do anything
He just wants to play all day"

She is sure a creative little soul. And one with preferences, for sure.

***

This month Meredith was in one of her usual fantasy worlds, which as of late involve Disney characters since we have introduced some Disney cartoons. Here's a one-liner to make your head spin:

"I was so mad that I even convinced Bambi to sing a deer song from Disneyworld."

***

Lucas is having some fun learning vowels. Right now, only a few people close to him probably know that when he says something that sounds like "uh-oh" he probably means "apple", and when he drops something off his high-chair tray he is more likely to pronounce his accident "ah-ooh". (Well, it's not an accident at this age, but that's another story.)

***

It is always painful to have your child imitate you in, shall we say, unflattering ways. While her words aren't exactly identical to what I would say, I was still somewhat disturbed when I came home the other day and the babysitter recounted her experience with Meredith getting upset about something:

Babysitter: Meredith, can you use words to tell me why you're upset?

Meredith: (sternly) This discipline needs to end RIGHT NOW. You need to obey me please because I need to do some WORK.

Yikes! This was apparently followed by a lengthy impersonation of a parental lecture of some kind. Our babysitter thought it was hilarious. And you probably do too. Which is why I'm sharing it even though it makes me cringe!

***

If you are spending time with Lucas, it's important to know that the letter B is his favorite letter. He calls many things "baby." He know what it means, but it just applies a little more broadly for him than for most of us. One day he pointed to my watch, then the clock on the wall, then back to my watch and declared proudly: "Baby!"

Another common expression from him is "ba ba", which means (a) sheep or (b) bye-bye. If the context doesn't clue you in, he's usually waving his hand with it if he's saying goodbye.

Finally, there is the sound "bee." We have identified 7 things that he means by "bee." Two of them are distinguished by a growly delivery -- if it sounds growly, it's either "big" or "Beast" (from Beauty and the Beast, a new favorite around here). If it's not growly, it means "bean," "beep," "bee," "B," or "please" (accompanied in that case by the baby sign, so that's good). It is fun to see him trying to express himself, and I'm looking forward to a day when I can really find out what's going on in his little head!

***

Meredith watched "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" and I found it affected her vocabulary a bit.

Meredith: How about that stupid dog?

Mommy: Let's not say that -- you don't need to call him that.

Meredith: How about that nice, mean dog that does stupid things?

***

It turns out that Meredith is primarily interested in villains. She likes Captain Hook (even pronounces Peter Pan as "Petah Pahn" like him). She likes Darth Vader. She wants to be a Decepticon (and if you don't know what that is, you are missing out, let me tell you).

She also likes Gaston from Beauty and the Beast -- an incredibly unlikeable character if there ever was one. The other day she whispered loudly to me, with great anticipation, "We're getting ready for a BEAST FIGHT!" I sorted out what she meant -- apparently I was to be the Beast (the good guy) and she would be Gaston. Now, the way the story is supposed to end is that they have a fight in which the Beast is winning, but then has mercy on Gaston, and then the coward Gaston stabs him in the back. He nearly dies until Belle declares her love for him at the last minute, breaking the enchantment and make him a man again. I wasn't sure how the reenactment was go because I wasn't sure Meredith had caught all this.

So we had our "beast fight" with some fairly harmless plastic toys as swords. I (the Beast) dominated but then had mercy on her (Gaston). Then she kept fighting and I feigned the receipt of a near-fatal blow. I fell on the couch and called out for Belle....

I admit, it was a bit of a test -- would Meredith transform into the needed character to finish the story? Would she have compassion on the Beast? Well, here's how it played out:

Mommy: Oh no! Gaston got me! I need Belle to come and give me her magic kiss! Where is Belle? I need Belle. She needs to tell me she loves me. Please help me, Belle! Where is Belle?

Meredith: Lukie can be Belle.

Mommy: Lukie, can I have a kiss?

And my sweetheart, Lukie, obliges with a loving "MUAH" on his Mommy's cheek :)

***

A conversation with Meredith about her hair after babysitter Miss Sarah did it for her:

Me: Miss Sarah is amazing with hair!

Meredith: Of course she is!

Me: Where do you think she learned that?

Meredith: At Sears!

Why the interest in Sears? I honestly don't know, but it is persistent. We looked for dryers there once, and things have never been the same. Case in point: I was at the mall with the kids last week with the intention of letting them play at the little indoor playland (it was too hot outside - yes, I'm serious). The playland was closed. I tried to offer up the best thing I could think of -- I would take them across the street from the mall, to Toys 'R' Us. Meredith was not really interested though -- "I want to go somewhere in the mall." I couldn't think of anyplace she would want to go, and then we figured it out: she wanted to go to Sears to see the dryers again. So we did.

***

And finally, to round out the post, a funny quote on Meredith's relationship with Lucas:

Babysitter: You have to be nice to Lucas - he's the only brother you have.

Meredith: He's the only brother I have LEFT!

***

She is a funny kid. I rest my case.