Pig Won't

I don't WANNA!

There are two characters in a Richard Scarry book called "Pig Will and Pig Won't", two brother pigs who have opposite answers to whatever they are asked to do.  Well, Bennett is in a "Pig Won't" phase these days.  Perhaps being the middle child is catching up to him, perhaps it is a normal three and half year old boy phase, perhaps it is just sin rearing its head.  But his favorite phrase at the moment is "I don't wanna" and that is his answer a lot of the time.  "I don't wanna ...take my bowl to the sink, clean up my markers, share with my brother, go outside, go potty etc."  This has resulted in many time outs, where I have to hold him down in his chair or else he runs out. Or hits me. Or throws things.  He used to be super obedient about time-outs or receiving discipline and it usually had a good effect, but lately it just escalates tenfold as we discipline him.  Needless to say it is rather tiring.  I am not sure traveling halfway across the world, jetlag and a new country he doesn't remember will help matters in two weeks time.  I think Austin was more disrespectful and disobedient around three and half to four, though it is hard to remember exactly. 

In his defense, he gets a LOT of bossing from his older brother these days and can almost never do anything completely right in the eyes of his rule-following, perfectionistic brother.  And everyone loves Lucy, so I know it is hard being the second brother and the middle.  Anyway, we love our crazy, explosive Bennett but pray for him and me!  He is also still hilarious in the things he thinks up to say.  Here are three quotes from today that I keep chuckling about.

"Mommy, my nose has skins in it (as he rubs his nose like crazy).  I have a skinnny nose! I don't want a skinny nose. I don't want a nose, just two eyes and a mouth."

"Mommy, my shadow is copying me.  Don't copy me shadow!  (as we walked outside today)."

"Mommy, I had gas,  Just gas (how he explains he farted)" 
me "Bennett what do you say?"
B "I had JUST gas." (I was looking for excuse me, but he was so serious in his answer I had to laugh).

He loves to wear two different socks or two different shoes, or better yet, one slipper and one sock pictured here.  And still prefers to only wear underwear whenever possible. And almost never pants if he is in the house.

"I'm crazy and wild.  Look at me.  I would make a wonderful actor someday with all my drama. "

Handsome...even on Easter he insisted on two different socks. I battled enough to get him to wear the jacket, so I decided the socks didn't really matter.

It's tough being in the middle.  But he sure is cute. And still the snuggliest of all my children so far.  I think his love language must be touch...he is always good for a cuddle.