Miss Manners

We have been working on manners lately. Pffft, manners and a 2 year old?? ARE YOU CRAZY? These are the kids that have giggle fits when someone burps or toots. You would think I was raising 2 5-year old boys instead of 2 soon to be 3-year olds. Potty humor is hilarious. Bodily functions are even more hilarious. Good times. We have been working on "Please" and "Thank you" along with the occasional "Excuse me". It's taken some time to break them of the giggle fits when they toot, but we have finally gotten to "excuse me". I find myself endlessly talking about what is proper and what isn't. Who am I kidding? They are 2 - not 12. This leads me into a few situations where they have used proper manners, but the situation fell short on being anything proper at all.

Like the time we were at the book store. Both of the girls were in the stroller. God Bless the Mountain Buggy Urban Double. The bookstore aisles are narrow and a man was blocking our progress. Kate begins with a quiet, "Move guy." Apparently he didn't hear or chose to ignore. Good luck dude. Rule #1 - You don't ignore a 2 year old. Ever. So Jill pipes in, "MOVE GUY." Still nothing. Then Kate hollers, "EXCUSE ME MOVE GUY!" Shudder shudder shudder. He moves. I shudder some more and refuse to make eye contact while mumbling a small apology. Fantastic.

Then later last week we met the Taylor's at Deanna Rose Park for a playdate. Normally, when people are waiting to use the swings, the parent limits their child's swing time. It's common courtesy. "Sorry kiddo, but there are 5 other kids wanting to swing so you can swing for 5 minutes and then it is someone else's turn." Well, apparently this other mom didn't get the memo on swing etiquette. So I am pushing Kate when she turns around and tells the other kid, "Hey, you get off swings. It's Jill's turn. JILL'S TURN. YOU OFF!" I think the other mother got the hint. She quickly suggested the slides to her child.

OK, so today is the last example of manners. We are at the grocery store waiting in line. Kate is holding my hand and Jill is sitting patiently in the cart. Kate walks up to the woman in front of us and pokes her butt. Yeah, my two year old just grabbed your as*. What'cha gonna do about it? I just shake my head and explain to Kate that you can't just touch anyone. Especially on their bum. Luckily the young lady completely understood and we had a good laugh about it.

Have you noticed a theme to these stories? Yeah, they all star Kate. Why? She is the sassiest kid I have ever been around. Oh and she has the attitude and mouth to back it up. I wonder where she gets *THAT* from?