I remember a time when I thought that Max would never speak.  He had a few words here and there, but really didn’t start with full sentences until about 2 1/2.

Then I wondered if the kid would ever shut up.

Now?  He’s almost 4 ohmyGodwhendidthathappen.  The things this kid comes out with just cracks me up.

For instance, my recent favorite.

This weekend we were trying to clean the house and I told him to clean his room.  I had to ask him more than 3 times and was starting to get irritated.  Instead of cleaning, he was taking more and more out of his closet.  I was very snippy when I told him, “Clean your room, or I will take away all your toys.”

Max looks at me and, in a huff, says “Well, I don’t know how you EXPECT me to clean my room when my breath stinks.”

Yeah.  I had to walk away for a minute before I came back and demanded that he brush his teeth and then clean his room.

He’s been getting in trouble lately for talking back.  It feels like every single time we tell him to do something, we get a response of “but” or “well” or “I want”.  We don’t put up with back talk, but it’s getting increasingly difficult not to resort to screaming.

He jumps up and down on my last nerve until I think I’m about to...well, *SNAP!*

It’s like he has radar because just before that happens, he usually says something completely unexpected and cracks me up.  Or gives me one of his world famous hugs and tells me I’m his favorite mommy.

I have a good system going with Sarah.  She understands good behavior and consequences.  She tries to be the good kid, most of the time.  She understands that she has control over her choices and sometimes bad choices will get her in trouble.

Max is an enigma to me.  He doesn't understand why his snappy little come backs are considered bad manners.

Isn’t it funny how two kids can come from the same parents and be raised in the same environment, yet can be soooo completely different?!