Smarty pants

I know every parent thinks their child is smart. I am no exception. I think Benjamin is a smarty pants. A big smarty pants. Like too smart for our good sometimes. Here's what I mean...

Recently Benjamin has started saying "Bye-bye, Mama". Now I know that this is not impressive in and of itself. The boy is 2 years old now and should be able to string simple phrases together like this. It's not what he's saying, but when he's saying it.

Benjamin feeds the dog some of his snack. I say "No, no, Ben." He replies with "Bye-bye, mama."

Benjamin tries to sit in Elizabeth's baby swing. I say "No, no, Ben." He replies with "Bye-bye, mama."

Benjamin starts jumping on the couch. I say "No, no, Ben." He replies with "Bye-bye, mama."

Do you get it? The kid does something naughty. He gets caught and scolded. He basically tells me to hit the road so that he can continue his naughty behavior without being seen. Yeah. And the best part is that he says it so sweetly....like in this endearing, loving way that almost makes me fall for it, but then I remember he's just trying to get out from underneath my supervision.

What a stinker. A smart little stinker.