it's a hard knocked life

poor caleb is continuing to learn the lesson that sometimes what you want may not always be what you need. and at 3 years old, there is no time like the present to learn this lesson. caleb loves to come up with alternative ideas to what ben & i suggest (aka, arguing) and loves to throw himself into a tizzy when i say these words,

"i hear what you're saying (repeat back to him what he said),
but the answer is no."

we will back it up with reasons of why so that he doesn't think we're just power-hungry monsters. and though most of those reasons get lost in the midst of loud wails and bucket-sized tears, we still try.

caleb, even though you don't think so right now, one of the biggest lessons in life is to learn how to accept things that are difficult and move on. take it from me, i got to see first hand what happens if parents do not set boundaries for their kids. in fact i lived with it last year and it's not pretty.

remember this??

all because one of the GH kids didn't want to do dishes.
(and this was not even the worst time)

so little man, just know that when i tell you "no, you can't have a snack because then you won't eat lunch" or "nope, let's turn off the t.v. and read some books" it is only because i love you and want to do what is best for you at the time (which contrary to your beliefs, you may not always know what that is). i'm also attempting to save you from turning into a crazy teenager who does thousands of dollars worth of property damage over hearing "no."

here's a little tribute to you sweet boy. when things aren't going my way, i find myself singing this song. and i realize that most of the time the lyrics are not lying.

sometimes it really is just what you need.