Deserved scoldings and a Brain Teaser

Derek had the day off, so we decided to make a family trip to Target. Having Derek along helps me not to go bonkers at Target, as I am becoming increasingly convinced that one of their most effective marketing strategies involves pumping some mind-altering powder into the ventilation system, rendering me incapable of spending less than $75, even when I only came in for replacement sunglasses and maybe a box of cereal. Anyhow, We were getting in some good practice maneuvering one of the carts with the bumpity, red plasticized clubhouse on the back (read: breeder of maniacal children-eating electrical shocks,) when we passed by an aisle blooming with fun, adorable throw pillows which I, of course, don't need. Who ever NEEDS throw pillows? But I needn't have chastised my frivolous coveting; Eden was all over it. After dramatically gliding to a pillow with two appliqued birds on an eastern-inspired branch and fawning over it, (under the influence, I tell you,) Eden looked at me sternly and said, "Mommy, no whine."

Touche.



Eden Johanna's vocabulary is bursting these days, like a double-blooming peony from the smallest, tightest little bud. My ability to understand her, I now know, is a bit like learning Spanish by going to Spain: you learn it or your day-to-day life sucks. Just as an experiment, I'm going to list some of Eden's words, spelled phonetically, to see just how many others would get along with Little E. (By the way, Eden refuses to be called Little E, Edie Jo, MonkeyPants, or even her full name. Any of these spoken titles will elicit a "No, ENNEH.")

Selections from the Eden-Speak Cheat Sheet, August 2008

1. dite ~ bite
2. hoppy deersay ~happy birthday
3. poppy ~ potty
4. ah hayve ~ I'll behave
5. seesee ~ excuse me
6. kaykay ~ carry
7. geygick ~ blanket
8. guggie ~ binky
9. fahfwahs ~ flowers
10.GoGah song ~ B-I-N-G-O (thanks, aunt Meg)
11. dey dare ~ right there
12. bowee ~ boy or berry, depending on context
13. kooka mahsah ~ Cookie Monster
14. Jeeus ~ Jesus
15. pehpehs ~people
16. hosh haints ~ wash hands
17. bopsee ~ bouncy
18. nyuk ~ milk
19. paba jahchi ~ peanut butter and jelly
20. weeng boops ~ rain boots