Burning down the house

If I have a hundred points of energy in any given day I would estimate that 75 points go directly to Keith Management and Discipline.  Tonight when I got home, I found my men happy and well-fed.  I also found various toys and accessories placed out of Keith's reach.  And it was reported that Keith was the recipient of no less than ten time-outs between the hours of 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm.   That's a lot of work! Bottom-line: no matter how many time-outs he is subject to the kid is still funny, dangerous but funny.  Read on.

He's taken to repeating himself three times whilst trying to get out of trouble.  It is usually something like: "Sorry, sorry, sorry." Punctuated by a hand to the face.

His brother taught him to bemoan the absent parent, friend, dog, relative, pumpkin, candy...... Last weekend while Kevin was at work Keith must have said, "I miss Daddy" at least once an hour.  He even said it in his sleep.  I would say save the drama but I guess I am his mama.  Boy that's a lot of drama for two boys.

We taught him how to say, "Yes Mom" or "Yes Dad" to indicate that he is listening to direction/admonishment/information.  He is very coach-able.  Problem is he gives his sweet "YES MOM" and then proceeds to do whatever he wants to do.

Ownership is so important when you are 2 1/2.  Dis my belt.  Dese my boots.  Dat my bike.  That's cool....the first 47 times, the last 120 times it is less amusing.

The other day I was sitting on the coach with him and he passed gas. Me:"Oh, that stinks!" Keith: "Dat me?  No, dat you!"

Not sure who taught him this one but he understands and happily utilizes the phrase: that's not fair.  He also likes to answer questions with the answer: because....

And finally, he loves to help out, especially in the kitchen.  The other day he was "helping" make apple cider, this help translated into putting on oven mitts (always about the accessories) and opening the oven.   The next morning after he "helped" me make blueberry muffins (dey yummy), the oven mitts were still in the oven.... unbeknowst to me.  Small fire, one Williams-Sonoma oven mitt was in fact injured in the production of the apple cider/muffins.  And a big fat: Yes Mom.  Followed by: Sorry, sorry, sorry.