A 5 year old's questions

Gus has gotten a little bigger since we first brought him home. About 20 pounds bigger. The vet predicts he'll be 80 pounds full grown. The breeder told us 50 pounds. Damn it.

Every kid needs a slip 'n' slide, right? Thank you Cauwels Family!

Noah has always been a curious kid, but he's becoming more and more intrigued by the world around him. A few days ago, he overheard Matt & I discussing the unfortunate news that our Charlotte house apparently had termites. This prompted question after question: what are termites? what do they look like? where do they live? why don't they live in Minnesota? if it gets warmer in Minnesota, will the termites come here, too? etc., etc.

Today, though, I was totally impressed with the kid's thought processes. We were in the car and he asked, "Mom, what part of my body controls what I do?" I did my best at simplifying the mechanisms of the neurotransmitters in the brain. He thought it was awesome. "So, my brain makes my arm move when I want it to move? And my brain tells by body when I'm hot or cold? That is SO cool!"

A few hours later, he says, "Mom, why do humans live in houses?" I had to think about that one for a second, because it takes time to formulate a response that I think a) he will actually understand; and b) will actually satisfy his curiosity. We discussed humanity's need for shelter, on the biological side of things, and our need for a place to put all of our stuff, on the logistical side. Apparently, the latter really clicked for him. "Yeah! Where would I put all of my toys if I didn't have a house?!?"

So, while my 5 year old is anxiously attempting to discover the ways of the world, my almost-3 year old is steadfastly refusing to use the potty, give up the pacifier, or -- most recently -- walk. And so Noah asked Matt last night at bedtime, "Dad, why do you and mom always do everything Lukey wants, but you always tell me 'no'?" Holy crap, we're really bad parents.