Hablas Ingles?

Lately, Ben and I are having some communication problems. I think the problem is on both sides though. My part in this problem is that I occasionally don't understand what he is saying. For example, today he asked if he could have some tiger water. Tiger water? I am smart enough to know that tiger water is probably not what he was asking for so I ask again. "What do you want?" "Tiger water", he replies. Hmmm, well he is wearing his favorite shirt today, which just so happens to have a tiger on the front. I finally give up and ask Hannah what he is saying and of course she understands him immediately. He wants a taquito. Well, that makes more sense.

Example two. He tells me after lunch that we need to take a break. "Take a break?" "Yes, Mom. Let's take a break?" "Why do you want to take a break?" "For my birthday." "Oh, you want to bake a cake?" "YES!"

Benjamin's part in this communication problem isn't that he doesn't understand what I am saying, it really comes down to the fact that he just doesn't accept what I am saying and has decided he will push me to the edge of insanity with his persistence.

Example one. This happened first thing this morning right before I jumped in the shower. "Mom, can I have some cake?" "Cake?" "YES! Cake, woohoo!" (I have figured out that if I answer his question with a question, he takes this as a yes answer) "No, Ben. We can't have cake." "Mom, I want some cake." "We don't have any cake in the house." "But Mom, I want some cake." "Ben, we have no cake!" "But I want some cake." "I know you want cake, but there is no cake!" "I want some cake!" (eyeballs protrude, voice raises as I respond)"There is NO CAKE!"

I could just keep going on and on because that conversation lasted for about 45 minutes. And unfortunately, we have had that same conversation about a hundred times this week with various things. Bubble gum, movies, donuts, just to name a few. If this is a plan to make me question my sanity, it is working.