Three-year olds can spell, too!

Sometimes we find it necessary to spell certain words (like C-A-K-E, or P-O-O-L, or Z-O-O) so that Little E doesn't pick up the whole conversation. This works well in limited circumstances. Unfortunately, the secret code might soon be coming to an end. Today I asked about our plan for "D-I-N-N-E-R." It was decided that we might have some "B-A-C-O-N" along with "E-G-G-S." Little E turns around and says, "Mommy, what's S-P-H-Q-E-R-T?" Ahh, if only I could find my secret decoder ring...

Saga of the Baby Chicken

So the other night, at dinner, Little E and Little I are eating green beans (which they love). Little E takes one of the seeds out of the bean and holds it in her cupped hands. She says, "Look, a baby chicken!" This continues for a minute. "Mommy, do you want a baby chicken?" "Daddy, do you want a baby chicken?" After her generous offer is politely declined, she turns to Little I: "Do you want a baby chicken?"

Little I took one look at that "baby chicken" and imitated the title character in of his favorite stories, The Very Hungry Caterpillar -- and he was still hungry.