Are you smarter than a 4 year old?

We recently instituted a new rule. Here's what was happening: L would rush through dinner to get to her dessert.  She would likely not eat "enough" and be hungry, after her dessert. The new rule was instituted: After you eat your dinner, you may have dessert. Eating all of your protein, fruits and/or vegetables are a must for dessert qualification. If you ask for dessert - that means you are done with dinner. You can not say later you are "still hungry" after you eat your dessert. After you eat your dessert, the kitchen is closed! If you are really still hungry, you can have a healthy snack but that means you rushed to dessert too quickly and the next night dessert is not an option. When the kitchen's closed, the kitchen is closed.

Last night, it was a really nice night out so we ate dinner outside. We had chilli and some left overs from the night before including some guacamole & chips. Yum. We have a back porch set and L LOVES to eat outside, we all do. It was fun, dinner was good - and L took her dessert outside so she could enjoy it out back. About 10 minutes after she ate dinner and her dessert I notice she is snacking on chips (they were on the table). Clearly breaking the no snacks after dinner & dessert rule. Her response?

"Yeah, but we aren't IN the kitchen so the kitchen can't be closed. We're outside. Doesn't count."

How many questions does a 4 year old ask each day?

The average 4 year old has NOTHING on ours.

My kid is above average. Every day I am reminded of that fact.  Especially with the questions. OH for the love of the questions.  Sometimes she asks so many questions that she confuses herself. Sometimes she knows she has asked too many questions in succession that she raises her hand in hopes that requesting permission to ask another damn question will get that question answered.  Sometimes she asks questions just to ask questions; she KNOWS the answer to the question. "What's this?" as she points to her lunch which consists of a sandwich - she knows what it is. 

Oh the questions. How it usually goes is any word or statement she doesn't know or even those that she does will lead into a downward spiral of the never ending question game. Example?

Ball&Chain: "Is it bad that the goal of the day is to do nothing?"
L: "Is what bad?"
Ball&Chain: "If the goal of the day is to do nothing."
L: "Why is that bad?"
Me: "That's what' Daddy's asking, is it bad that it's the goal of the day?"
L: "What a goal?"
Ball&Chain: "An achievement." {At this point, he tags out}
L: "What's an achievement."
Me: "It's a goal. {disorientated by the word puzzle we have going at this point}  
L: {silently confused, I'm sure she's trying to formulate another question.}
Me: "Something you work for - like your stickers? When you get 20 stickers and then you get a prize? Getting 20 stickers is the goal."
L: "Oh. When can I have another sticker?"
Me: "When you earn it."
L: "What are we doing today??"
Me: "I don't know, other than nothing? Maybe being quiet?"
L: "Sure! Why?"
Me: {bashes head against wall}