A Cowboy, a Budding Chef, and a Real Smartypants

Ever since attending a local "Way Out West" summer camp, Seth has decided to be a cowboy and rarely takes off his hat, or ceases singing "Home on the Range." He's also developed quite a love of helping mommy cook, although he seldom eats what he prepares. But by far Seth's favorite pasttime is coming up with new, clever ways to leave mommy and daddy speechless. Here are a few samples..

1. "Daddy, you are not God." At a restaurant after Daddy corrected him.

2. To mommy, in the middle of my explaining my disappointment in his behavior, and just before and impending spanking: "Mommy, you shouldn't be sad, you know. You have a lot to be thankful for--after all, you've got me!"

3. "Oh, Mommy, isn't I cute?" and "Would you just look at those beautiful eyes?" At various times while posing in front of the mirror, when he is supposed to be washing his hands.

4. "No, Mommy, you're not tired! You just need to drink some water and keep walking!" Upon leaving the local Boardwalk shopping center, after several hours of walking in 95 degree heat.

5. "Okay, Mommy. I'm really sorry, and I will try to do better, but will you please not do that again?" To mommy, after his favorite helicopter was taken away as discipline for shouting at mommy.

6. "Hi, my name is Seth. I am the young prince of the forest, and this is my mommy. She is the Queen." To a stranger while waiting in line at a movie theater.

7. To his pediatrician, "Okay, you are going to check my ears and check my throat, but I can't get my finger sticked.. okay? There will be no finger sticks today!"

8. To his pediatrician, when leaving, "Bye-bye! Have a nice day! And remember, God made you special, and He loves you very much!"

9. "Ah-ah-ah, there will be no choking tonight, Mommy!" To mommy while I was coughing.

10. "Mommy, we must never stop trying to be our very best." To mommy after I told him he would never hit the baseball with the golf club.

11. "God is great, God is good, let us thank Him for this food.. tortillas with cheese and meat and it's very yucky, and mommy says its not yucky, and you're going to eat it.. in Jesus name we pray, Amen."

12. "Well daddy, tonight we're having shrimp in a white sauce with angel hair.. its called basil cream sauce and I have to simmer it till all the shrimp are pink, then you can eat it." To daddy, who asked what he was cooking.