Lesson 36: Girlfriends

If someone asks you if you have a girlfriend, particularly if it's a complete stranger,  answer "Yes!" as loud and as clearly as you can.

Lesson 35: Penut Butter

The best way to eat peanut butter involves smearing it on everything you can find. Double check the chair, the table, the last three toys you held and Mama's pants for best effect. If those are covered, give Mama a big smooch and thank her for the peanut butter.

Lesson 34 From Deci and Cousins: Snack Time

If you can't beat em' join 'em. Especially during snack time.

Lesson 33 From Diego: Planting Seeds

Green iguanas can eat strawberries and "plant" their seeds. Oh, and they're afraid of foxes...who apparently live in the growing green forest.

Lesson 32: Reliablity

While a friend or a cousin may not always return a ball, the wall is not as stingy and will always bounce it back, sometimes harder than you expect.

Lesson 31: Apples

The instinct to take a huge bite out of a whole apple is also natural, but beware the "It's an apple not a ball" discussion.

Lesson 30: To Oreo or not to Oreo

The instinct to Oreo (aka pull cookies, crackers or  sandwiches apart and eat the insides first) is natural.

Lesson 29: Drumsticks

Trading your pacifier and favorite blanket for a pair of drumsticks is a great way to start your day.

Lesson 28: Picking Up

Once kids know they're "supposed" to pick up, if you start doing it they tend to join along. It's much easier than repeated "Put this away" attempts!

Lesson 27: Cheeky Food

Falling asleep with rice checks in your mouth is maybe not a good idea.

Lesson 26: Cheerios

Cheerios are much more fun if you slurp them off your tray like a little lizard.

Lesson 25: Volume

If you say it loud enough, someone will hear it.

Lesson 24: Ankle Braclets

The stackable donut rings Great-Grandma made you make for great ankle bracelets! Just make sure they come of afterwords.

Lesson 23 From Deci's Cousin: Kitties

The kitty with claws might be the nicest kitty in the house. But he still has claws.

Lesson 22: Artists

A paper and pencil are one of the most inexpensive ways to entertain your little artist.

Lesson 21: Prayer

Yesterday evening, while his dad and I were preparing dinner, we put Deci in his highchair with a biter biscuit to keep him busy. The two of us were busy talking and joking in the kitchen and when I looked out I saw Deci with his hands folded, and head bowed, mumbling something in his toddler gibberish. Then after a pause he held up his arms and said his version of "Amen!" My 18 month old toddler was praying, all on his own.

Today's Lesson: Everyone can pray.

Lesson 20: Cups

Just because it looks like your cup, does not mean it is your cup. Beware the contents.

Lesson 19: Board Books and Crumbs

Board books are not supposed to go through the washer. No matter how many cookie crumbs you get in them.

Lesson 18: Waking Up

Kids only sleep longer than usual on the days you had planned for them to get up at a certain time.

Lesson 17: Exercising

You are never too little to get into shape.

Lesson 16 From Deci and His Cousins: House Wrecking

The jump-jump-jump-fall on your butt game is a lot of fun. Even more so if you convince a cousin or two to join you. Then the whole house shakes.

Lesson 15: Hiding

When hiding from Mama, (who is seven months pregnant) hide under the table. She'll never get to you there.

Lesson 14: Shopping

Fabric shopping can be lots of fun, if you bring Mama and Daddy every spool of ribbon you can find...or if the yarn looks a lot like a ball... or if you can run faster than Mama up and down the isles.

Lesson 13: Terrible Twos

At some point the two year old switch has to be turned on. Sometimes it's early. Really early.

Lesson 12: Cell Phones

When Mama is demanding you give back her phone, tilt your head a little and pretend to talk into it in your little angel voice. Mama will have a hard time being demanding after that.

Lesson 11: Balloons

Don't lay on your favorite balloon. They tend to pop.

Lesson 10: Dad or Mom?

If one addresses their mother as "Mama" then Dad must be "Ma." It just makes sense.

Lesson 9: Sleep Walking

If Mama can get up out of bed, turn off the alarm clock, and fall back asleep like nothing happened; Deci can certainly get up, grab a pacifier out of his cousin's diaper bag, and fall asleep just the same.

Lesson 8: Carrots

You cannot stab (uncooked) carrots with a fork.

Lesson 7: Bribery

People can be bribery too. When Mama says "(insert favorite person of the day) is coming over tomorrow" it can really brighten up your day.

Lesson 6: Holiday Clothes

Take holiday pictures, before you do anything else. That special outfit is just not going to last.

Lesson 5: Attention

Balloons are a great and fun way to both show off and wear yourself out. Especially when it makes you the life of the party.

Lesson 3: Stress

Don't stress about the Hallo-luja Night, Mama, I'll feed you pretzels!

Lesson 4: Beach Balls

Don't roll your whole body over a big beach ball. Especially when you are on a concrete floor.

Lesson 2 From Deci and Cousins: Mail Time

You must do the twist when it's Mail Time.

Lesson 1: Welcome to Toddlerhood

Things are exciting and very repeatable, no matter how mundane if someone is cheering for you afterwords.