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.