I’ve never given it much thought, but recently have determined that this one word question can appropriately follow just about every statement uttered in the English language.Why? How do I know this? Well, it has become Devi’s favorite response and she adds this inquiring phrase to everything anyone says . While I applaud her curiosity, to call this line of questioning exhausting is an understatement. Eventually, after more than an ample conversation about ants or green beans or a sock, I finally have to beg her to stop...which (you guessed it) only makes her ask “Why?”
I don’t know where I’ve heard this phrase made in jest before, but I am beginning to firmly believe it. Apparently, three has become the new two. Progressing through the year toward November 15th, Devi’s third birthday, we’ve watched our little turnip discover her personality, gain independence and soak up new concepts and ideas like a sponge. Just yesterday she asked me, “What makes a tree grow?” These statements always catch me off guard, as they are the trivial facts of life that we simply stop thinking about as grown ups. I thought about it and told her water and sunshine makes trees grow. Then she asked, “What makes a cloud grow?” I told her that clouds don’t grow, they hold the rain for the trees and bigger clouds hold more water. Then she asked, “Mommy, what makes me grow?” I told her food and milk, but she corrected me and said that her friends being kind help her grow. Ah! she got me. I guess she has started to understand the difference between physical and emotional growth at an almost 3 year old level, of course. She really has tiptoed through the terrible twos with barely a missed step...until today.
As I scanned the play field of rambunctious children for my Deviroo today, I finally zeroed in on her in the most unusual of places, not out running and playing, but standing still holding the hand of one of her teachers. When we finally reached each other, Devi ran the last few steps into my arms and planted a big kiss on my cheek. Then came the bombshell when Ms. S said “Devi, tell your mommy why you are not playing with your friends today?”Devi fell silent and looked at the ground. Finally she uttered, “I did not have good listening ears today”. Ms. S went on to describe Devi’s day. She talked back to all the teachers - even yelling NO! at them, stood up right on her chair at lunch time more than once, squished her food in her hands, laughed at the teachers when they put her in the thinking spot, repeatedly pinched her friends, spit, woke up three children during nap time and as a result, lost the privilege to play with her friends. When I asked Devi if all of this was true she said, “Mommy, I had a rough day”. With a day like that one, I would half expect to find her duct taped to the wall!
I was dumbfounded. Was this MY child? And, how is it that one child could cause so much mischief in a single day? I guess I should have seen it coming...as I’ve had to choke back giggles observing her practise her angry face in the mirror lately. Recently, she announced in a very authoritative voice, “Mommy, I am a girl and you are a girl and daddy is not! We are naughty girls and daddy is not!” Who can argue with that?
Once again we are falling back on what we know to be true. She LOVES attention, even if it is negative attention and she loves to earn things. As of today we have started the “listening ears” chart. One sticker is earned for each day she receives a positive comment from her teacher. When a full week of stickers is earned, we get to do an activity of her choice, like eat dinner outside picnic style or go to the park. Thank goodness she is easy to please and still thinks an apple or yogurt is dessert, simply because it is sweet!
When I ponder the flipped switch inside the head of my DeeDee from yesterday to today I come up with no conclusions, which leaves me asking...Why?Summer Events-Cousins come for a visit
An overnight visit with cousins Olivia and Jordan and Aunt
Shannon in early June
A friendly game of DOG PILE! Devi on the bottom by her choosing!
Family Father's Day Picnic
Swimming with cousins and the weather was not warm.
These kids are being troopers to withstand the elements for splashing fun.The Taste of Tacoma Festival
Our first festival of the season. We did lots of dancing to live music and local restaurants set up booths in the park to sell "tastes" of their food. Pat, Devi and I shared this plate of Vietnamese food...Yum!
Father's Day
Dev and I made breakfast for dad and she presented him with a gift she made allbyherself. Our slugger!! We planned on going to an outdoor brew festival that day but we had a rare occurrence. A boomer of a thunder and lightning storm graced our presence which was a real treat to watch! Daddy was in heaven!
Picnic for dinner
Because our weather can be so unpredictable, we picnic spontaneously. This is one of nights the sun decided to peak out for a while. Off to the park we went to have our dinner and feed the ducks our left overs. Devi was thrilled to find she has learned to throw with a fair amount of accuracy this year. The bread actually hit the water!!
Independence Day - the 4th of July
As Devi would say, "Happy America's Birthday!" We spent the afternoon of the 4th at the Freedom Fair, another of our favorite summer festivals. We had a blast dancing to live music, eating hot dogs and ice cream. Devi (I) enjoyed a sponge bob square pants ice cream bar...she has no idea who he is, but the ice cream looked fun...taste...not so much. The weather was an extremely rare near 90 degree day. It was so fun to be out all day and not have to wear a coat.
These jumpy things are one of Devi's favorite past times. We found this one at the Freedom Fair on the 4th. All the jumping you can do for a buck.
Devi got her money's worth!
I don't know about you, but I see more than a dollar's worth of joy in that face. Incidentally, she slept like a baby through all the fireworks!
With summer weather in full swing we are taking full advantage of it. This also means that one must have painted toenails for open-toed sandals, something Devi has never had done before. She was more than thrilled when I made the suggestion. She is finally at an age where vanity is beginning to enter the picture and with it comes the patience to sit still long enough for “paint them powder puff pink...two coats, mommy”. So I obliged her and painted her toenails for the very first time.
Daddy completed her spa day experience with a bubble bath that evening. This is her refusing to get out of the tub even though the water has drained completely away. The life of luxury for sure!
The Farmer’s market is a weekly event for us and is where we have our summertime “story time and coffee time”. Devi loves to purchase her own fruit, cherries on this particular day, to eat in the sunshine before dancing off the calories to the tunes of local talent whose music resonates through the tented street. Empty spaces abound for side walk chalking and the air is filled with the sweet aroma of lavender, crepes and freshly baked bread. 
We spent one afternoon experiencing Art on the Ave, another of our local festivals. Showcasing artistic and musical talent is it’s focus, but Devi’s focus was all on the dunk tank that she found fascinating and her yellow balloon. Although I am a bit leary of letting her walk unattended in a crowd, what fun is a balloon if one can't bob along and watch it bounce in the air beside you? It was a great source of entertainment for her until we happened upon our favorite Indian restaurant for a spot of lunch. Dev, dad and I munched on Kabuli Channa and Garlic Naan. Can there be a better combination of festival foods? We think not!
Another fascination has been Devi’s very own vegetable garden where she is finally seeing the fruits of her labor. We are just now picking our zuchinni and a few carrots. The beans, tomatoes and brocolli are not quite ready yet, but with Dev’s assistance we faithfully check them everyday. This growing process has been such great fun for her and we enjoy watching her grow ever more excited to eat the things she as grown all by herself.
One of our warmer days was spent enjoying our friends pool. Dev has no fear of the water and will jump regardless if someone is there to catch or not. This time daddy was right on target!
If there are any dentists out there reading this, I'm sure you are cringing! How much pink food coloring can frosting incorporate before breaking down? Thank goodness she was satisfied with a lick or two, but it was certainly enough to keep her entertained for the better part of an hour looking at her tongue in the mirror.
