Ducks, Butts, and Worship

Eli has a few choice words that are just too adorable.  He decided a while ago that all cars and trucks were "ducks".  Despite us repeating after with the correct word almost 100% of the time.  He just nods affirmatively as though to say, "Yeah, that's what I said.  Duck."  He's learning new words and syllables constantly now.  Recently Jeremy was having Eli repeat after him and says "C".  Eli repeats "C".  Jeremy says "Ar".  Eli repeats "Ar".  Jeremy says "C-Ar".  Eli repeats "Duck".  Complete with huge grin of course.  We have repeated this about 50 more times in as many ways and he will say the syllables separately but together it is now and always a DUCK.

Since Eli could utter syllables he has put some form of them together to describe his belly button.  However, recently he's become even more accurate and consistent with his words of description.  So if you ask Eli to say Belly Button he will immediately and enthusiastically say, "Belly Butt!".  I love it.

Jeremy and I have been pretty involved in the House of Prayer in Federal Way lately.  One evening this week we were there and Eli decided to raise his hands during the worship (until distracted by his juice).  This in itself was pretty cute.  Friday night Eli and I were just relaxing at home watching TV.  Specifically we were watching Making the Band, which for any of you without a telly, Making the Band is a reality show about pop-groups formed by P-diddy, Puff Daddy, Sean Combs (whatever you want to call him).  I guess now my son has associated raising hands with all music appreciation because as soon as Day 26 (Diddy's boy band) took the stage Eli lifted his hands just like he did at the prayer meeting.  I was rolling, hysterical.

Note to parents:  They mimic EVERYTHING!

Tantrum

Eli is almost two years old. Go figure, he has a strong will like his mama.
Anyways, we are in the process of teaching him the difference between acceptable and unacceptable behavior. I imagine most parents continually teach their children this well into their teens. We choose to use the "naughty spot". He seems to understand it well enough and dislikes the disruption in his playtime. Aside note - I am completely uncomfortable with using the same hands I use to care, cuddle, and nuture Eli with to cause him pain. In addition, I think personally for me spanking severity would be too dependent on my mood. Which, discipline should have nothing at all to do with the parent. There's my peace.
Today was a gem. It was actually quite special. Eli was helping me unload the dishwasher (knives were already taken out) and handing me each item. He took out the potato masher and went to hand it to me but instead ran when I tried to take it. I informed him to give it to mama. He ran faster. Now, the lesson here is obedience. I really don't care if he wants to play with the potato masher. If he asked nicely ("Pease") I would have been happy to let him play with it. However, at his age I need him to learn to obey me "Just cause". Because often when I inform him to obey it is a safety issue.
I proceeded to explain if he did not return the potato masher he would be on his naughty spot. He proceeded to throw the potato masher in mama's general direction (across the kitchen). He was on his naughty spot.
After his time was up I explained again why mama put him on his "spot", asked if he was sorry (he usually says yes), and gave big hugs before he ran off to play.
Here's the super special part. He ran straight to the kitchen, looked in the dishwasher (apparently did not see what he was looking for), found where he had thrown the masher, picked it up and put it back in the dishwasher. I then asked for it, he grabbed it and gently handed it to me with a big grin on his face. I gave him a super thank you and continued putting away dishes. So sweet when they learn.