One of the joys of dealing wth a toddler is setting boundaries.

Except it’s hard to set boundaries when the person you are attempting to set them with has a limited understanding of English, an insatiable curiosity, and a penchant for ignoring you completely.  But in the cutest way possible, of course.

When we first moved into this house, I adored the open floorplan.  The space!

Now, I curse the open floorplan with every fiber of my being as I would be spending thousands of dollars on baby gates to keep my toddler out of places she shouldn’t be. So instead I chase after her as she makes a circuit of the rooms, hitting every spot of vulnerability with alarming accuracy.  The two kitchen drawers that can’t be latched? Check.  The fireplace? Check.  The cord of the little vacuum I keep in the kitchen? Check.  Around and around we go, always with me trying to block her before she gets there, and redirecting if she does. 

But you know what?  She knows she shouldn’t be doing what she’s doing, limited speaking ability be damned. 

Except, I can’t prove it.

Hmphf.  A Balrog might be easier to deal with…