Manners

We work hard to make sure the boys will know their manners.  When we give them something, we'll say "thank you, Mama (or Daddy)" for them before they can talk.  This worked well for Ethan as when he learned to talk, he began saying "fank you Mama" when he'd get something.  We tell them "you're welcome" - which also worked on Ethan as he'd hand you something and tell you "welcome."  I'll admit he didn't fully understand when he was first talking as he'd say "welcome" when you gave him something as well.  But as he matured, he did seem to grasp it and now says "thank you" regularly.

Thank you and you're welcome aren't the only manners they need to learn of course.  Please we still work on - while thank you and you're welcome are somewhat natural to him to say now; he still needs to be reminded to say please.  Saying "excuse me" is also very important.  Ethan tends to belch quite loudly - no, I didn't miss speak.  He doesn't burp - it's a very audible belch.  So we frequently would tell him "excuse you."  We apparently added something to that quite often though as he has a twist on this phrase.  As we walked through Sears the other day on our way to The Children's Place - a favorite store for us for Easter clothes and other special outfits - Ethan belched and promptly said, "excuse me, piggy boy."  It wasn't a one time thing - he's done it every time since then as well.  Yesterday, someone else (and I truly don't remember if it was me, Steve or Alex) burped and Ethan said, "excuse you, piggy boy."  Yeah - we're definitely going to have to fix that.  Granted it was super cute and so funny but I think he really believes that's the phrase he's supposed to use.  Going to have to fix that before Alex picks it up as well.

Another one we struggle with daily - who am I kidding - HOURLY - is interrupting.  Steve and I rarely get to talk to each other when the boys are awake as we are constantly acknowledging Alex's grunts and answering Ethan's questions (yes, I realize Ethan's questioning nature is my karmic payback for the same behavior as a child).  However, occasionally we do need to update each other on stuff during waking hours and it seems to most often happen in the car.  This is probably because there's not much else to do for Ethan in the car besides talk and at the house we can easily walk away.  So when we dare to speak to each other, we try to answer Ethan as well as finish our conversation but then will ask Ethan to wait a minute so we can finish the discussion.  The reprieve lasts only a few moments before Ethan will chime in again and we'll try the ignoring thing but he gets louder and louder until we have to tell him again to please be quiet Mama (or Daddy) is talking and he needs to stop interrupting.  Mama will answer him when done talking.  It's not nice and I will not answer him right now.  It totally reminds of being in the grocery store when I was little when Mommy would try to (heaven forbid) speak to someone she knows and I or Megan, Jes or Annie would do the Mommy, Mommy, Mommy, Mommy, Mommy, Mommy thing asking "can I have this."  It's not like Mommy was having a 20 minute conversation - we're talking about less than 5 minutes of "hi - haven't see you in a while, how are you - good to see you, good bye" but we'd harass anyway.  Mommy - I am soooo sorry for the innumerable times I, myself, like did that.  I now realize fully how obnoxious it was and you can stop laughing now and just thank Ethan when you see him.  Daddy - same goes for you.  Aunt Eileen, Roger, Katie - anyone else who ever spent "quality" time with me when I wouldn't shut up, I humbly apologize and would really appreciate it if you'd stop laughing now and saying "ah payback."

So yes, we're working hard on manners - not talking with food in your mouth and interrupting are the current focus along with correcting "piggy boy" as part of "excuse me."  I hope my boys are always polite - for the most part, they are and I hope this trend continues.