Keeping my word

I'm on the second day of my 3-day no-Coke diet. Here's why:

"Daddy," my 5-year old said two days ago. "You drink too much Coke."

I nodded. Then I took another sip of my nth Coke of the day.

"You should not drink Coke for five days," my 5-year old added. His face showed a little irritation.

"Five days?" I asked. "How about one day?"

"How about three days?" my 5-year old said. He was negotiating.

"OK."

I agreed for two reasons. It tells my 5-year old that his word matters to me. It also tells him that I could keep my word.

"So what will be my reward if I don't drink Coke for three days?" I asked.

My 5-year old showed me his thinking face. Then he said, "Coke. Lots and lots of Coke."

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Mother's Day

Mother's Day. Illustration by Mike F Leonen. ©2008 mike f leonen. All rights reserved. No use, copy or distribution without prior permission.

My wife, two two kids and I were seated inside our van one recent night. We were going to eat out.

"Did you guys know that it'll be Mother's Day this Sunday?" I asked my two kids.

"Oh, I didn't know that," my 5-year old said. "We should surprise Mommy."

Uh-huh.

"We should bake her a cake and buy her flowers," he said.

My wife, I repeat, was with us in the van.

"Well," I said. "If we bake Mommy a cake and buy her flowers, that won't be a surprise anymore, wouldn't it?"

Silence. More silence.

"But we won't tell her the color," my 5-year old said. "That'll be the surprise."

Show-and-Tell Want to see a Photoshop show-and-tell? Visit my photo blog, mikeleonen.com. Comments are appreciated.

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Show and tell

Want to see a Photoshop show-and-tell? Visit my photo blog, mikeleonen.com. Comments are appreciated.

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Wii

Three things I love about Wii:

• It develops eye-hand coordination.

• It encourages movement in front of the TV.

• It promotes perseverance when you lose; humility when you win. 

What I don't like about Wii:

• You need to let your kids play, too. Hmp.

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Define patience

Patience. Illustration by Mike F Leonen. ©2008 mike f leonen. All rights reserved. No use, copy or distribution without prior permission.

What is patience? Here are my definitions:

• Patience is trying to stack up domino pieces while your 2-year old is inches away.

• Patience is telling your 5-year old that he could ask you any question he wants and his questions include: "What is a question? What is what? What is is?"

• Patience is standing in line in a crowded Starbucks while your 5-year old and 2-year old talk about knowing that Daddy is up in the morning when they hear a loud fart. 

How about you? What's your definition of patience?

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Gallery Update I've updated my illustration gallery. I'd appreciate a visit and comments. Also, please visit my photo blog, mikeleonen.com.

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Three things I've learned (so far) about little boys

• No matter how much you tell them not to touch anything inside a store, they'll ignore you and touch anyway.

• No matter how careful you are in steering them away from toy guns, they'll find a way to craft one from everyday stuff—like that cardboard inside a paper towel roll, the one you hope they'll use as a telescope but end up as being the most powerful (and loudest, I must add) boom-boom gun in the whole wide world, as how my 5-year old puts it.

• No matter how much they fight and tease each other, they'll still be the best of friends at the end of the day (or ten seconds, give or take 5 seconds, after each fight). 

How about you? What have you learned (so far) about your little ones?

Photo Challenge, Anyone? Visit my photo blog, mikeleonen.com, and join the photo challenge this week.

Gallery Update I've updated my illustration gallery. I'd appreciate a visit and comments. Also, please visit my photo blog, mikeleonen.com.

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Three things I've learned (so far) about hide-and-seek

Hide and Seek. Illustration by Mike F Leonen. ©2008 mike f leonen. All rights reserved. No use, copy or distribution without prior permission.

Three things I've learned (so far) about playing hide-and-seek with my  two kids:

• The kid who counts almost always counts with at least one eye open.

• The kid who hides almost always gives up his position by either hiding three feet away from the kid who counts or by giggling—aloud, I must add—for all to hear.

• The fun part of hide-and-seek is not the seeking or the hiding. It's the screaming. 

Gallery Update I've updated my illustration gallery. I'd appreciate a visit and comments. Also, please visit my photo blog, mikeleonen.com.

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Growing up

Growing Up. Illustration by Mike F Leonen. ©2008 mike f leonen. All rights reserved. No use, copy or distribution without prior permission.

Signs my 4-year old is growing up:

• Physical—My 4-year old brags about the hair in his chest (there are about 3 of them, a quarter of a quarter of an inch tall). Also, after playing, he tells me, "Look, Daddy, my armpit is sweaty."

• Emotional—My 4-year old is attuned to his feelings (and mine). "Daddy, I love you," he says unexpectedly. "Does that make you happy? Can I have some chocolate now?"

• Mental—My 4-year old is getting smarter.

"Daddy, do you want to hear a joke?" my 4-year old asked one time.

"Sure," I said.

"Are you sure?" he asked, very serious.

"Sure I'm sure," I said.

"Are you very sure?"

Uh-huh.

"You're handsome," he said.

He laughed hard. Then he walked away.

Donkey.

My 4-year old turns 5 this week.

Photo Challenge, Anyone? Visit my photo blog, mikeleonen.com, and read about joining the photo challenge this week.

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Know the song, anyone?

Tickle. Illustration by Mike F Leonen. ©2008 mike f leonen. All rights reserved. No use, copy or distribution without prior permission.

Are you in a helping mood today? Do you know the lyrics of the song that starts with:

Where Is Thumbkin
Where Is Thumbkin
Here I Am
Here I Am

My 4-year old asked me the lyrics one morning and I said I don't know. That's the problem. He came out with his own version:

Where Is Pinky
Where Is Pinky
Here I Am
Here I Am
What Have You Been Doing Today
Picking Out The Boogers
Run Away
Run Away

Again, if you know the lyrics, let me know. Please.

Photo Challenge, Anyone? Visit my photo blog, mikeleonen.com, and read about joining the photo challenge this week.

Illustration Gallery Update I've updated my illustration gallery. If you have the time, I'd appreciate a visit and comments.

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Lesson in sharing and patience

It seems more than a few parents are soon expecting their second child. To them, I offer this story:

Eldest child to youngest child: "Share."

Youngest child, responding: "No, you share."

Eldest child, insisting: "No, you share"

Youngest child, also insisting: "No, you share"

Eldest child, shouting: "NO, you share!"

Youngest child, giving up: "Waaah!"

Me, the little angry parent: "Both of you learn how to take turns. Be patient. Now."

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