oooh, aquinas, welcome to the slippery slope! our tiny human was so amazingly REASONABLE in her negotiations for years and years that we essentially never had a moment of conflict. it was a little creepy - she was so logical that most of the time her suggestions really improved a plan! this was great until her mental age outstripped what we could safely allow her to do - you know, wanting to walk to the corner store by herself to pick up batteries at the age of 3. she knew she could find her way, she knew she could ask the clerk for help, and she knew she could pay, so what was the problem?!

cue the screaming fits - it really was a lot like living with that girl from the Exorcist. brace yourself - your sweet little lawyer is going to give you a run for your money! smile

and i love that your DS2 can give an 8-part instruction. i think those development charts say kids should follow 3-part ones by what, about three years old? hee!

Every Sunday it brooded and lay on the floor. Inconveniently close to the drawing-room door.