A is our resident instigator. He’s 2.5 years old now, and in the span of 1 week, he covertly switched the dryer settings to “air fluff” (causing a minor panic as our loads kept coming out damp and we were sure we’d need to get a repair scheduled ASAP), snaked my mom’s vaccination card from her purse (which she didn’t discover until getting ready to go to the theater where she needed her proof of vaccination for entry), and changed the temperature settings on our home hub to 50*.

To better illustrate the type of ‘tude this tot often rocks, I present the 2nd episode of “overheard,” this time featuring snippets of A during our recent long drives:

*****

(25 minutes into a 10 hour drive, after having spotted the tiniest glimpse of a Pringles can)
“I just want the chips. I just want the chips. I just want the chips.”
(Repeat for 10 minutes straight in toddler bass vocal range.)

*****

(Practicing how to politely interrupt)
A: excuse me?
Dave: yes, A?
A: don’t talk to me!

*****

A: hi, Mom!
Me: hi, A! I love you!
A (smiles sweetly): I love chips!

*****

A: Mom?
Me: yes, A?
A: no, I’m talking to DAD.

*****

(After Dave agreed to share a few sips of his Powerade)
A: You can have the rest, Dad.
Dave (reaches back to take the bottle): aw, thank you, A. That was so nice of you to save some for–