Age Three

It seems that seasoned parents love to frighten novice parents with tales of "The Terrible Twos", yet, I dare say, nobody ever mentioned Age Three. Sure, when Camden turned two he started talking a whole lot more, could get into more trouble, etc., but was relatively mild-mannered, looking back on it all. Since Camden's third birthday last month, life has taken on a new sort of direction in our household. I dare say, we are now living with a midget who seems to think he is in charge. Other changes that have occurred: increase in sassiness, increase in tantrums, decrease in all sense of reason and rational (I'm talking about Camden, not me). You may be wondering why our dear son is sporting rabbit ears in the above picture. That would be due to the fact that he has seen "Wallace and Grommit and the Adventures of the Were Rabbit", and for about a two hour stretch yesterday, insisted that I call him, "The Were Rabbit" whenever I addressed him. He further informed me that he would be addressing me as, "Maaaaaaaaa", in the same manner that Babe the Pig addressed his dear friend Ma, the Border Lester Ewe, in the movie, "Babe" (you would be correct to deduce that we've watched a couple of movies this past weekend).
Oh, and did I mention the talking? The NON-STOP-NEVER-PAUSING-TO-TAKE-A-BREATH talking? Witness a recent conversation between mother and son:

(Setting: in the car, on the way to Boise)
Camden: "What's that, Mummy?"
Heather: "That's a tractor, Camden, but you know that!"
Camden: "What he doing?" (he refers to everything and everyone as "he")
Heather: "He's working."
Camden: "WHY he's working?"
Heather: "Because that's his job."
Camden: "WHY that's his job?"
Heather: "Because that's what tractors do."
Camden: "WHY that's what tractors do?"
Heather: (feeling slight tinglings of brain that is about to explode) "Because it is."
Camden: "WHY because it is?"
Heather: "I don't know."
Camden: "WHY you don't know?"
KA-BOOM!!

Now, you may be thinking, Get A Grip, Lady. Kids Ask Lots of Questions. They Are Curious By Nature. Okay, while that is true, the above is just one example of about 537 identical conversations that occur between my son and I, whenever we are in the car, in the house, at the store....when we are awake, is probably a bit more accurate.

Steve and I are currently regrouping and doubling-up on our efforts to ensure that we guide our Dear Son through this "phase" (oh please Lord, let it be a phase), so as not to end up with one of those children that cause other parents to cringe when they see him coming. I'm quite sure he will turn out just fine. I've had many parents tell me, "Just when you think you know what you are doing, things change." Boy, is that true.

All of this being said, there is still no place I'd rather be than with my son (okay, sometimes I'd like to be in a silent room, preferably in a tropical locale, sipping a large glass of perfectly chilled Pinot Grigio, but that's a post for another day). May I also say that if you attempt to inform me that your child is smarter, cuter, or sweeter than my child, I'll wrestle you to the ground and pin you, until you take it back.