For most children, a cute grin and a hug are enough to get pretty much anything they desire.
Our daughter, however, takes no chances when it comes to self-procurement.
In what seems like a matter of days, Penny has become quite the negotiator. While it’s hard enough to maintain a gruff exterior after hearing some of the cute things she says, she’s developed such a penchant for parley that I’m going to let her broker our next car purchase.
• Penny has perfected “second stab” negotiations. When she wants, say, a piece of chocolate, she’ll start off by saying two. When she’s turned down, she quickly drops her demand in half, making it seem to the other party that she’s willing to compromise.
• She’s quite the persistent little toddler. If her request for one is denied, she will crawl up onto your lap, hold up a single finger, repeatedly wave it in your face and repeat “one, one piece of chocolate, one, one” until she gets her way (which isn’t always). The somber look on her face completes the effect of a master arbiter.
• Sometimes accompanying her requests are other hand gestures. Her favorite of late is forming her hands in a bridge shape when asking for a tube of frozen yogurt — saying “one frozen yogurt, like this” before shaping her hands. I’m not sure exactly what point she’s trying to convey in doing so (we should work as one toward a solution, perhaps), but it’s more effective than I’m probably making it seem here.
• As a last resort, Penny’s inherited the lungs of (ahem) certain family members and isn’t afraid to use them. She’s nice enough to offer a warning — “I’m going to scream like this: AAAHHH!” — but if that caution is cast aside, she will unleash a howl that would make a banshee cower.
Penny, of course, needs to learn how to deal with not always getting her way. But her persistence is remarkable.
I don’t know if the world needs more lawyers. But watch out, legal system, if Penny opts for that career path.
•••
Rigby loves — LOVES — our dog Bella. He’ll drop anything he’s doing (including drinking his beloved milk) to walk/crawl to her, calling “Doggy” all the way.
Having growing fond of him seeking Bella in that way, imagine how blown away I was recently when our little dude called for her by name.
There we were, sitting on the couch, when he hopped off my lap, traversed across the length of the couch with his trademark smile and exclaimed “Bella!” My wife said he’s uttered Bella’s name numerous times while I’ve been at work, but I was shocked.
And I’m sure Bella — whose eyes Rigby enjoys poking and hair he enjoys pulling — appreciates the heads-up.
•••
For those of you who were looking for Jill Keppeler’s Double Trouble column this week, a severe case of Mychildgotsickandgaveittoeveryoneitis kept her on the bench this week. Look for Crib Notes in its normal turn in the rotation next week (along with the new picture I’d hoped to have the next time this column ran), with Double Trouble back in action in two weeks.
Contact Paul Laneat 693-1000, ext. 116,or paul.lane@tonawanda-news.com.
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