‘I do it myself, mama!’

The phrase that makes all parents, even seasoned ones who have been around the block a few times, cringe and beam at the same time. You celebrate the fact that your little one is growing up and learning new skills.. but you feel your already stretched patience bursting at the seams.

Little miss almost-2.5 is in a 'testing our patience' phase right now.

Parents, I'm sure you'll know the phase I mean; deliberately doing something naughty (usually in slow motion) while watching you like a hawk to see how you react. Or doing something she's not supposed to and then running at top speed out of the room. Just general cheeky stuff that she knows we don't want her doing.

I've always liked the 1-2-3 form of reinforcement, because it gives them a chance to react/change their behaviour - it's what we were encouraged to use while teaching in primary school. It seems to work better on older kids though, because we've gotten to 3 here plenty of times... so she hasn't quite grasped the concept of it yet.

I know persistence is the key. We'll keep working on it. Especially the 'what comes after 3' part.

But dude.... how hard is it not to laugh when you're trying to be serious? Especially when she does something cute, pulls a face, kisses your knee, lets out a fart; anything to make Mummy happy again. Toddlers, man.

Written as part of Microblog Mondays @ Stirrup Queens

It's so many things. It's:

• Loud. All the time. SO LOUD. The singing, the chattering, the yelling, the screeching. 
• Dramatic. The world is ending on an hourly basis in our household. Fed her the wrong breakfast cereal? Put the wrong socks on her? Asked her to wait five seconds for something? OH MY GOD NO. She's mastered the art of throwing herself face down on the nearest surface and wailing.
• Snuggly. I didn't think the snuggles could beat those early years, but toddler hugs? They're a beautiful thing. When she willingly chooses to wrap her little arms around your neck and cling on, or climbs into your nap to nuzzle in for a cuddle - those are the moments I never thought I'd experience as a mum, and make me so happy.
• All about the food! My kid has a bottomless pit in lieu of a stomach right now - seriously, she puts away more food in a day than me. Two breakfasts, snacks throughout the day, a thoroughly hearty lunch and dinner - she is a machine. Must be all the running around all day long.
• Messy! If it's not related to the aforementioned food, it's boogers, or mud, or craft stuff. Or heck, even while in the BATH, we make a mess. Life is short... it's fun to get messy.
• Time outdoors. Even though it's the middle of winter down under, outside is where her heart lies - so that means rugging up & playing in the sunshine. Spencer loves it! I'm so glad that we have a backyard that's perfect for exploring and playing.
• Mine, MINE MINE MINE. Everything is hers. Sharing is something we're working on - but so far failing miserably. I wish that I could help her to understand; for now, we'll keep plugging away.. with plenty of apologies to her little friends when she snatches and grabs and runs away with all of her 'stuff'. 
• The best. This kid is my whole world and I love her guts. :)

Georgia's always been a good little eater. She took to solids like a pro way back when, and she's been fantastic with food ever since. Other than not particularly enjoying avocado, she ate nearly everything we threw at her.

Until now. Toddler-hood. Ruining good eating habits since 2014.

Seriously, I think she'd live on a diet of cereal, bananas & pasta bolognese if she could. I offer everything. I disguise veggies in meatballs and sauces. I offer different fruits at lunch time, which get pitched over the edge of the high-chair. Vegetables get licked, and then tossed.

Please tell me this is just a phase? :)