What For?

"Mommy have glasses on?"
" I sure do, buddy!"
"What for?"
"Well ... because the sun is hurting my eyes ..."
"What for?"



"Take off shoes!"
"No buddy ... keep your shoes on. Please."
"What for?"
"Because we're almost to the store."
"What for?"
"Well ... its just down here ... and we only need to run in for something real quick."
"What for?"



"Can you grab me a towel, L?"
"What for?"
"So we can go outside in the pool."
"What for?"
"Its hot out. Mommy thought you would like to play and cool off."
"What for?"



Noticing a trend here? It seems like this guy has skipped "why?" and has instead focused all his efforts and attentions on "what for?" -- it absolutely gets worked into every conversation. As cute as he can be, sometimes it gets a little tiring, especially once the conversation comes full circle and we start all over with the original question, for the second, third or fourth time. But ... I just try to keep reminding myself that this is his way of learning. Of figuring out the world around him. How things work. Why people behave the way they do. What we can and cannot do. Keeping it in perspective that way helps mellow out my frustrations, and almost makes me chuckle, each time he opens his mouth, a sly smile creasing his eyes. I can always tell what's going to come out ... what for? 

I better work on some of my responses!