Nothing like a little toddler manipulation

James is learning the fine art of negotiation.. sort of. He's starting to get quite savvy about trying to get mommy to go places we really don't *need* to go, places with fringe benefits for him!

Tuesday ride home:
James: Mommy? Teetie? Go Teetie? (Harris Teeter)
M: No, sweetie, we don't have to go to Teetie today
J: Balloon? Balloon, Teetie? (now the truth comes out... I didn't *think* he was interested in crossing off the grocery list).
M: No, honey, no balloons, today, no Teetie.
J: Cooookie, mommy? Cooookie?
M: James, no, we're not going to Teetie (trying not to laugh).
.... quiet for about a block
J: Mommy? Haircut?
M: What? Haircut? No, James, you just had a haircut, why do you want another haircut?
J: Lollipop? Blululullululu Lollipop?
M: No, silly, no lollipops
J: YES!
M: NO!
J: YYYYEEEEESSS (in silly monster voice)
M: Noooooooo (also in silly monster voice)
at this point we both just start laughing until we cough.

Thursday:
J: Mommy? Ice cream?
M: No, James, no ice cream today (Goodberry's is right near the Teetie and we pass it on the way home. Lest you thing we ply our child with custardy goodness on a regular basis, I can count the number of times on one hand that we've taken him there. )
J: Mommy? that way? that way, please???
His new thing is that he really likes to give you directions... "that way"... perhaps he'll be an air traffic controller?

Friday:
We actually DO go to Teetie, where he gets his balloon (no cookie, they were OUT. Harris Teeter, this does not bode well for you when you are out of cookies.. that means we don't spend as much time shopping. Take a note!). As we are driving out of the parking lot...
J: Mommy? ice cream?
M: James, didn' t you have ice cream at Keatey's house today?
J: Yeeees.
M: Then no more
J: (pause)..... ice cream?

You gotta hand it to him, he's persistent!