Why? But (insert name here) does (insert action here).

(I didn't really have a picture to go with this post so here is a random picture of Emma for you. Asleep on our way down to Utah to visit Jacob's family this last December)

It's funny how when you are growing up and your parents say certain things you just roll your eyes and say "When I'm a parent I'll NEVER say that to my kids" and then when the situation arises you find yourself saying those exact words. I knew how to be the perfect parent when I was 16 and stupid. I had it all figured out. Didn't we all? Emma has been on this "Why" thing. Here is a recent conversation we had:
Emma"Mommy can you sing the big cake song"?
Me "I don't know the big cake son could you..."
Emma "Why?"
Me" I haven't heard it before could you si..."
Emma "Why?"
Me(getting a little frustrated) "I don't know! I just haven't. If you could sing a part of it to me then maybe I will remember it."
Emma "I don't know it.".

Or how about this one:
Emma "Mommy can I have a fruit snack"?
Me "No, you already had a fruit snack today".
Emma "Why"?
Me "Why? Because you wanted one earlier"?
Emma "So can I have a fruit snack"?
Me "No..."
Emma "Why?"
Me "Because I said so"!

Now the phrase "Because I said so" is one of those phrases that I vowed never to say to my kids. As soon as I said it, I stopped and called my mom and told her what I had just said. We had a good laugh about it and I went about my day. Then at dinner this conversation happened:
Me "Emma, you need to not talk when you have food in your mouth"
Emma "Why"
Me "Because it's gross"
Emma "But Olivia does it"
Me "Well Olivia doesn't live here now does she"

I can't remember how many times I heard growing up "Well (insert name) doesn't live here". Or "Well if so and so lived here they wouldn't be doing that". I again had to laugh.

And another thing that disturbed me about the last conversation was the logic behind it. I didn't think I'd be hearing "well so and so does it" until she was in late Elementary School. Where do kids come up with these things? I am grateful to be a parent though. I have so many stories to tell my children and friends now that I could fill books and my oldest is only 3. I'm excited, scared, and already slightly annoyed to think about all of the story making moments I'll have with my children. Isn't being a parent great?