WHY?

So this week Clayton has transitioned from his last favorite phrase, "WSAT?" (what's that?) to a new word and perhaps a whole new world that comes with it.  I feel sure he learned it from his big brother, as he does most things, and I'm not sure if I'm grateful.  Clayton has discovered the word "WHY?"  I asked him to go find his socks and he replied, "WHY?"  I said, "Clayton, it's time to go ni ni and he said, "WHY?"  I'm not sure he knows what it means, but it's just a matter of time.  As Kyle discovered the word, I started out grateful for the curiosity of my firstborn.  At almost 4, he is still asking "WHY?" about almost everything.  "Mommy, where is that firetruck going?"  I say, so as to appease his never ending questions, "to the firestation to eat lunch with the other firemen."  He then adds, "WHY???"  Of course the discussion could be endless if we keep going in this direction.  "Sweety, it's too cold to go outside right now."  "WHYYYY???"   Ahh, so much for the love of curiosity.  And who knew it would come so quickly to Clayton at only 19 months!  I'm bracing myself.  But perhaps I can lean on Kyle to be the answer man to all of Clayton's curious questions.  I like the sound of that.


Another new discovery for Clayton has been the skillful art of climbing; again learned from big brother Kyle.  The day before we left for Virginia to see family, Clayton climbed out of his crib.  Not good timing.  So as we stayed at Uncle Brian's house and borrowed a pac n play, Clayton quickly manuevered himself out of that too and found that exploring a new house with Kyle at 5:30 AM was a great adventure; especially finding Uncle Brian 2 floors up in not such a happy mood.  We've moved onto the toddler bed as we finally decided he'd bonked his head one too many times dropping to the floor.  This is "good times" in the Choy household.  3 AM is not my favorite time to be awake.  


And these things leave me asking "WHY?"  Why do my children need to know every little answer to every little question?  Why do they need to explore and climb and discover all of the time?  I know the answer is obvious, but sometimes the annoyance clouds my memory.  Being a mom and a parent is a HUGE job!  It is my job to inform my children, little sponges that they are, of all of life's truth that they can fit into their amazingly capable minds.  After all, this phase will in an instant be over and listen to me, they will not.  Ask me questions, no way.  Let this be my reminder to myself that "WSAT?" and "WHYYY?" are really music to my ears and a privilege to hold onto aggravating as it may be.


As I write, Clayton is climbing up onto the table behind me.  I correct his behavior and say, "Clayton, you need to get down."  You can guess his answer...