How To Make a 2-Year-Old Angry

I like to consider myself to be a pretty relaxed, reasonable mom. I let Sam run around missing various articles of clothing, I let him eat raisins on the couch, and as long as it's legitimately daylight outside, he can crawl into bed with us in the morning. In return, I expect polite behavior, really simple chores, sleeping in his room all night, and lots of kisses. So far, so good!

However, as Sam inches closer to 3, there are a few things that are really starting to get under his skin apparently. You see, you'll only hear about the Terrible Twos until you have a child - then you get access into this secret society that will proceed to inform you that 2 is not that bad - it's actually THREE that you have to watch out for.

I'm beginning to believe them.

So with that being said, here is my not so exhaustive list of things that apparently really bug a 2 - almost - 3 year old.

**Not letting him drive. Seriously. The last week Sam has been devastated that when we go somewhere, he is not allowed to take the wheel. Apparently I am the meanest mother in the world for not letting him drive the car. Not even on side streets.

**Not allowing him to stick fruit snacks in his various bodily openings (nose and ear), or in other people's respective parts (which, in one horribly embarrassing incident, have gone beyond nose and ear).

**Calling us mommy and daddy. Last week, he learned that Frank and I have names that are not mommy and daddy. He was incredulous. Now occassionally, you'll hear a little voice shout "Hey Frank!" across the house, or "Tammy! I need you!" When we ask him to repeat what he just said, he gets a sheepish smile and calls us mommy and daddy again. That's right. Little man aint so bold face to face.

But, he eats his vegetables with a happy heart and talks to Jesus every night. I suppose we can work out the other things on the list :)