Caterpillars and Frogs

During Henry's bedtime snuggle tonight, he reached out a small hand and ran it through my hair. I've been meaning to get it cut but even my bangs have grown out and it's well past my shoulders now.

I should probably also add some context to this. We recently watched a cartoon about a caterpiller and tadpole growing up into a butterfly and frog and Henry's been speculating on what he's going to change into. He's moved on from "I'm going to spin a cocoon and change into a butterfly" to some rather interesting ideas.

Henry: Mama, how come you got long hair? Does your hair grow an' grow? Can my hair grow that long?

Mama: Yes, Henry. If we don't cut your hair, it will grow and grow too.

Henry: I want my hair to grow and grow so it's as long as yours. When I grow up, I want to be a girl.

Mama: You mean like you want to change like a caterpiller?

Henry: Yeah! Like the caterpiller turns into a butterfly an' the EEL turns into a FROG!

That would be a tadpole, sweetie.

Save Me a Cookie

Henry was snuggled on the sofa with a pile of pillows and blankets, talking to Dada on the phone this morning about what he's going to do today at Grammy-camp.

Henry: Dada! We're baking COOKIES today!
Dada:Cookies?! Make sure you save me one.
Henry: But Dada! Those cookies are REALLY good an' Grammy an' I might EAT them all!

So if he's willing to save you a cookie, beware. It must not be that good.

Chocolate Chuckles

As we were finishing up dinner, I was thinking what sweet treat wouldn't be too sticky/ messy to clean up and decided on a few of the Lindt truffles that someone had kindly given me.
I handed one brightly wrapped ball to Henry and broke apart one for our anxious Kat.

Henry: What's this, Mama?
Mama: Chocolate.
Henry: What kind of chocolate?
Mama: Truffle. Try it, it's good.

Henry takes a cautious bite and his face lights up.

Henry: Yay! I LOVE chuckles!

Eyes of an Angel, Nose of a Bloodhound

I should have known better than to think I could get away with sneaking a snack with Henry still awake. Kathryn will toddle around obliviously but Henry has the frustratingly acute sense of a pre-schooler denied candy.
But I thought all I had to do was not chew when he was looking. Yeah, right.

Henry: What're eating Mama? Mama! What do you have in your mouf?? MAMA!!

Mama (shaking head & shrugging shoulders)
Henry gets up close to my tightly closed mouth and sniffs twice.

Henry: TWIZZLER!! Can I have one? Huh? Huh? HUH???

Mama (defeated, but prepared) presents him with a small bit set aside just in case.

Well-played, Henry.

Whatcha got cooking

Henry was snuggled into my bed sleeping in while I was getting ready for work. Then I heard him yelling, "Mama!" so I rushed in, only to find him still sound asleep, burrowed under the blankets. 

Mama: Did you call me, Henry? Are you all right?
Henry (eyes still closed): Yeah! I don't like what you're cooking, Mama!
Mama: What? You don't like what I'm cooking?
Henry: Yeah! That's what I said!

OK, then. Not sure how to take this. Needless to say, I was NOT cooking a nutritious, hot breakfast before 7am. More like barely awake, shuffling around in my bathrobe wondering what to wear today.

Scribbles and Scribes

Henry was busily scribbling away on his Magna Doodle tonight writing letters and drawing shapes, keeping up a running commentary of his awesomeness.
He's getting pretty good at the letters K,A, H, E, N, R, Y and O and will scribble all over any available piece of paper. We had a "talk" when he scrawled all over an outgoing bill.
So I'm impressed (and not the least bit prejudice). Well, he is barely four and he can legibly write his name. Scribble away, buddy. Just stay away from the mail.

Henry: I'm writing a letter, Mama. It says. 'I love Dada so much! Even Mama an' Kathryn an' Maggie!'

(I feel special. At least I ranked above the dog).

Henry: I'm drawing shapes! I made a triangle! I made a square! I made a circle! What shape should I make next, Mama?

Mean Mama (mwhaa-haha): How about an octagon?

Henry bends over his work, flourishing this line and that. He holds up a roughly circular shape with squiggles radiating out.

Henry: I made a TALKING OCTAGON!

Well played, Henry.

Wierd

Henry & Kathryn are still so adorable with each other. Each night before she goes to bed, Kat toddles over to Henry and they both enthusiastically embrace, her chubby little hands patting him on the back, him squeezing her around the middle. Adorable. We're getting the occasional sqwawk over a toy but it's still pretty rare and they usually play well together.
Last night Kathryn was giggling like crazy with Henry as they were tumbling around.

Henry: Mama! I tickled her and she laughed!
Mama: Yep.
Henry: An' I put my finger in her mouth! *Pause* Is that wierd?

Only if you did it on purpose and then don't expect a whole lot of sympathy when she bites.