How do you spell that?

Benjamin's new favorite response to EVERYTHING is "no." But he doesn't say "no"; he draws it out to a two-syllable word and says "nuh-ho!" It would be cute if it wasn't so frustrating.
"How was school?"
"Nuh-ho!"

"Do you want a PB & J for lunch?"
"Nuh-ho!"

"Let's go to Grandma's"
"Nuh-ho!"

Every parents magazine I read indicates that this is probably a phase. I would like to say "nuh-ho" myself and ixnay this insanity. Or at least fast-forward to the end of this phase. Here's an idea: every parent should get at least one mulligan that cancels out a phase that is more annoying than, well, you know.

It's Christmas Day!

On New Years Eve, I was headed to the store with my little sweethearts in the backseat. Benjamin piped up from the backseat, "Listen to Christmas music."

I didn't have any cds in the car and I tried to explain. "Sweetie, I don't think there's any Christmas music on today. Christmas is over." I reached for the radio and turned it on anyway. After flipping through a few channels, I actually came across a station that had just started playing Hark the Herald Angel Sings. "Benjamin," I said excitedly, "it's Christmas music!"

Benjamin looked into the rearview mirror and replied. "It's Christmas Day."

It took me a moment to find the words to respond. "Yes, Sweetie. It's Christmas Day every day." What a humbling moment, and a great reminder from a 3-year old. It IS Christmas Day every day.