Who's the Boss?

So last night hubby did a good job at emptying out half the storeroom (so that we could finally WALK into the middle of the room!), and I was moseying about looking for stuff to toss etc in preparation for the big move to Melb. Beth comes along to see what I'm up to. I pointed to the assortment of stuff piled high here and there and told her, "This is what happens when we buy too much stuff. Sometimes we end up not using it at all and it just accumulates and in the end we have to give it away or throw it away. Lesson to be learnt? Spend less money. Buy less stuff. Then we'll have more money to give when God asks us to give to the poor."

I was feeling quite proud of myself for managing to extract a moral lesson out of an otherwise dull routine when Beth replied, "You see you see? You and Daddy buy so much stuff and waste so much money. I listen to God - I put my money in my money bank and give it to the poor children." And she looked so self-righteous.

Of all the appalling cheek.

When I related this to the hubby, he LAUGHED, esp when Beth repeated her brilliant remark. Actually, she is a funny creature - when she mouths off like that, I don't know whether to laugh or get mad. Usually, it's both. :)

Good Days Are When....

• Beth says "Thank you Mummy" in 2 languages when I serve dinner.
• Beth says "Mummy, you're a great cooker (cook)/chef!", like last night when I hastily put together an inspired baked pasta with button mushroom, chopped fresh tomato, Heinz pumpkin soup and loads of Parmesan on top.
• Beth says "I love you Mummy!"
• Beth grins at me in her special way and kisses me for no reason (Lesson to learn: why do you need a reason to kiss a loved one?).
• Beth says "Ok, Mummy" in complete cooperation when asked to do something.
• Beth turns off the TV on her own after we reach an agreement that she can watch one programme and after that she must have her bath.
• Beth is done showering and sits down for dinner as per schedule in Mummy's head - without any fight.
• Beth is ready for bed by 9.30 instead of past 10 or 11 pm, and wakes up next morning ready for another day of school, instead of lying in bed throwing tantrums and refusing to get into her uniform.
• Beth shows recognition of simple words. Wow.

No Peas, No Carrots, No Corn, No Broccoli!

It was so much easier to feed Beth when she was a baby.

Whatever I mashed or pureed (potato, sweet potato, banana, broccoli, carrot) was fine with her.

Now, a week from her 4th birthday, she has acquired the most awful eating habits. She adores fries, fish and chips, pizza, spaghetti with Chicky Meatball at Cafe Galilee at the neighbourhood library. All the Western stuff.

She picks out the peas with disgust, will not touch corn, carrot, spring onions or broccoli, and will eat only fresh tomato. At dinner last night, she eschewed the chicken in bbq sauce, the button mushrooms stir-fried in coconut, and ate just plain pasta with fresh tomato.

Tonight was worse. She sniffed at the roast vege and chicken goujons I'd killed the laundry deep-frying, and said she didn't like the food. All she ate was a pack of Mamee, the deep-fried instant noodles sold as snacks.

It's enough to make a conscientious parent throw up her hands in despair. What would Jamie Oliver say??