Favorite & Least Favorite Words

Ethan's favorite word or should I say, question, is Why?  The answer we've all heard from our parents, "because I said so," has no impact on Ethan.  He responds to that one with "why did you said so, Mom?"  Oh great.  I've spawned a child that needs logical reasoning like me - guess I should start compiling that "book of instructions" for him like the one I apparently requested for Christmas when I was little.

Steve thinks he's found the answer.  He has started explaining to Ethan that God made everything.  This morning Steve & Ethan wanted to show me what Ethan has learned so far:

Steve:  Ethan, who made snow?
Ethan (with excited animation in his voice & sparking eyes, smiling):  God did!
Steve:  Who made rain?
Ethan:  God!
Steve: Who turns the heat up outside?
Ethan: God (snickering)
Steve:  Who's the best in the world?
Ethan:  MOMMY!
Steve:  Awwwwack!  Daddy! (& here I thought this was rehearsed and "God" was suposed to be the answer.  Nope - Steve was hoping for Daddy to be the answer).

Apparently though his focus had been on answering why questions with God answers.

Leave your brother along - Why? - Because God wants you to be nice to your brother.  He's watching.
Take a nap. - Why? - Because God wants you to rest. 

Brilliant idea because apparently once you say, "God said" or "God wants" Ethan drops it . . . until now.  He finally came back with "Why, Daddy?  Why does God want me to weave Owix awone?"  So Steve comes out with the story of Cain & Able as the answer.  I honestly think this response utterly confused Ethan to the point he no longer remembered the question which is what ended the why's for the moment.  But I don't care; as long as the Alex harassment stops & the "why" barrage ends, Steve can explain whatever he wants.

Ethan has a favorite question, but Alex has a least favorite response . . . "No!"  Alex actually listens when you say "no" and will stop whatever it was (usually).  However, not without instant tears.  The fact that you said "no" means that you caught him and he has to stop.  The fact that he has to stop, breaks his heart into a million pieces.  I was once asked in reference to Ethan & his cuteness, how I could tell him no.  My answer: "oh, you can."  With Alex, it's even worse because with those dimples and that quivering chin and tears, it is so hard to stick to it and not cave.  But I steal myself & repeat the "No" and try to distract him. 

Ethan never had that reaction to "No."  Then again, rotten child that he is, he rarely listened to it anyway.  But Alex hates to hear "no," hates more to be in trouble and doesn't even like when Ethan is told no or gets in trouble.  He is definitely my people pleaser but also gets his little feelings hurt so easily.  I sometimes think he thinks he's in trouble just because of my tone on "NO."  This is because he'll cry but come suck up (& beg) at the same time.  The simple "NO" didn't mean he was in trouble, of course, but he would be if he didn't listen.  I'm just stern so he knows I mean it.  Poor kid - he makes me feel like such a mean Mama sometimes but I know I love him & he still loves me so I guess I'm doing something right.

Even with the constant why's and the tearful no's, I think I'll keep them both.  They're too cute to give them away.  Even if I do say I want to sometimes, I wouldn't know what to do with myself without them.