No, Tank You!

Like the Sade song, even though my kids are Wilder Than Friday Night, they're also Sweet as Cherry Pie.  You'd think that the two traits could not co-exist, but hey, we're in Oz, so flying monkeys can live alongside cute little munchkins.  I'm actually amazed at how these Little Georges have all become so polite and generous.  I guess we're doing something right!

One of the things that's difficult to teach a kid is that even if you ask for something politely, it doesn't mean that you will always get that certain something.  We want to reward our children for good behavior, but there have to be limits.  For instance, Nicole has taken to saying "No, Tank You" as the polite version of "No, No, I won't go!"  She says "No, Tank You" as adamantly as "No, No, I won't go," but since it's under the guise of being polite, she thinks that she will get her way.  We've had full-on tantrums in this manner, especially when she doesn't want to leave the pool.  If it wasn't so aggravating, it would be hilarious.  In fact, it is somewhat funny, but we won't tell Nicole that until she's old enough to read this blog.  In the meantime, Barton and I try to keep our smirks behind our hands.

On another note, I love how Nicole can't pronounce "th."  It reminds me of my Great Grandma, who was born and raised in Pisa, and also had a problem with the "th" sound.  I don't think the sound exists in Italian.  I fondly remember her saying, "Dinner is at Tree-Terdy"  (3:30pm).  I really miss Grandma Giacomini.  She practically raised my dad and she was one of the sweetest, strongest women I have ever met.  She died when I was a freshman in college. 

Nicole politely pushes Logie in the hammock

Comments

[Peter T George]

Hi Lisa,
I’m enjoying the wit and wisdom of your blogs, and since they cover my favorite subjects I must be one of your most avid readers. I may be biased, but I believe you have the best looking kids, but considering their parents, I wouldn’t expect any less.
Speaking of Nicole’s problem with the "th" sound: in addition to her Great Great Grandma, her paternal Great Grandfather had the same problem. I can remember my dad saying something like, “Ders tree trees der. The "th" sound doesn’t exist in Bulgaria, where I am at the moment – your blog is world-wide. Barton met his grandfather just once when he was 2.
Lazarina and I are looking forward to seeing all of you at Thanksgiving.
Love,
Peter