Catching Bullfrogs

January 2011

Toussaint, 8

Tia, 5-1/2 years old

Just when I thought I might not find funny, cute TLogs to write about Toussaint anymore because the baby fat is gone, he's turned into one of the little rascals. There was a period between baby fat and little rascal in which he just kept getting more independent, capable, and smart in a big person way. During that period, he became quite a helper and I was fooled into thinking my job with him was going to keep getting easier. Now he's becoming a little rascal. At first, it seemed like back-sliding. Last year, he proudly mastered getting himself ready for school completely on his own. This year, he seems less able. But I'm now realizing it's not backsliding -- it's a new phase.

I'm still getting used to this phase, but it's becoming very cute to me now that I've realized he CANNOT, no matter what I say or do or how many times I address it, CANNOT not throw his towel on the floor and leave it there. This is where the phrase "Hell will freeze over before...." comes from -- from a mother realizing that it is a physical impossibility for her 8 year old boy to be tidy, still, quiet, responsible, or pay attention to her without whistling, humming, and fidgeting through her words. For him, that IS rocket science and that's why he looks so frustrated when I make such unreasonable requests.

What he is doing these days when it takes him an hour and a half to get ready for school despite our prodding, reminding, and help, is catching bullfrogs -- metaphorically, of course. And when I hear Tia's screams from the other room and see Toussaint run out giggling, I know my 8 year old boy has -- metaphorically, of course -- snuck the bullfrog he caught into his little sister's dollhouse.