Thursday, February 19, 2009

Cat or Dog?

Recently we have been trying to teach our children to make decisions by allowing them to choose between two options. For example: "Roman, do you want to go to timeout or do you want go to bed?"

This morning Brooklyn approached me with two options. Of course she caught me at my most vulnerable position--I was flossing, both of my hands were bound. Recognizing that she would have nothing but my full attention, she stated:

"Dad, you can get me either a cat or a dog. Which one do you think would be better? I would be happy with either one. However," she stated as she lifted up her hands to show me her hypothetical scale of logic, "on the one hand you have a dog, who would eat all the vegetables in our garden." Then, raising her other hand much higher than the first and proclaiming with a happier voice while nodding her head in affirmation, "Or we can get a cat, which will eat all of the mice. So Dad, which is it going to be? . . . A cat that will eat mice or a dog that will eat our food?"

I tried to avoid the subject by brushing my teeth and rinsing, but she kept asking with her hypothetical scales: "Cat or Dog? Cat or Dog? CAT OR DOG?" I still haven't answered her question, but between you, me and everyone else except for Brooklyn, I will be getting her a cat. After all, when you only are only given two options to choose from, you must pick one, right?

(Brigette said I had to make full disclosure that Weston wrote this, as she is embarrassed by my lack of blogging abilities)

11 comments:

Unknown said...

HAHAHA! You should blog more Westy.

So which is it daddy? to be or not to be?

If it is to be, i recommend a dog. more work, more fun, cats are less work and less fun. That simple. And I say this with very little pet experience, so take it with a grain of salt, or don't, which is it?

Hillary said...

I say good choice going with the cat! Indoor dogs make everything smell nasty. We got a kitten last year from the Humane Society, and our kids just adore her.

Brigette said...

I did NOT SAY I was embarrassed by his blogging abilities, just for the record. I think he is a very cute blogger, thank you very much, and I love that he shared that story.

Christopher said...

Get a turtle! When faced with two options go for number three!

Brooke said...

Good luck with that one! I am not a big pet-lover, but luckily my husband convinced me to let him get a dog before Taylee was born so I don't have to worry about the "Cat or Dog" question. I am impressed by what a cute little negotiator you have. That is a great story :-)

WILLIAM AND LYNDA DAVIS said...

That Brooklyn is something else! She's a smart girl. It sounds like she knows how to negotiate!

It was fun to see your beautiful children. Thanks for coming to Ryan and Sarah's wedding!

Thank you for being so HELPFUL and saving the day by opening up the church for Johnny Carino's. We hear Weston also turned the heat on in the church that day or we would have all been freezing!

You were so kind to help us in our time of need.

We love you all! Thank you!

Cindy said...

every little girl needs a kitten (or 2!) that she can snuggle and play with. cats are awesome and so low maintenance. dogs are good too, but i'd wait until the kids are a little older and can help with all the work involved.

The Lindsey's said...

You guys are awesome for getting her an animal! She'll be so excited! And I wanted to comment on the upcoming baby! Congrats!!! Brige, you were right about 3 kids not being too difficult. I'm LOVING it. It's not hard at all! You'll have to let me know how 4 is =)

The Lindsey's said...

BTW, I would have picked a cat too. With young kids, dogs are high maintenance. We got a kitten about a year before Bennett was born and he was my baby. Ever since we've had kids (almost 5 years now...), that cat is MEAN!!! If he doesn't have his way, he likes to bite me. Just me. I was his mommy and he was my baby. Not so anymore. So I'm sure if Brooklyn is his (or her) mommy than all will be well =)

boo face mcjones said...

weston! you blogged! how wonderful!

please, oh please come again.

Mama_Miles said...

hey crazy davis'. I appreciate the learning about choices theme--Love & Logic, is the only thing I can say.
Your kids are gorgeous.