Shenanigans

As you have read in past posts, and some folks have seen, Isabelle is a very active, curious and creative thinker (to say the least) who doesn't let a thing get by her but those traits seem to get her into all sorts of mischief. Knowing this, Michael has come up with a phrase to say to her when she is up to something, "I call shenanigans on you!" he will say and when Isabelle hears that, she just giggles.

Isabelle in Palm Springs climbing up onto the chair inevitably, trying to get up onto the table
"Shenanigans" is when Isabelle is into something she shouldn't be into, gets caught doing it and then whines when she is reprimanded. Michael saying "shenanigans" usually stops the whining within a second. This would include:

• Wanting lipstick or a cell phone from someone and she doesn't get it and whining if no one gives them up.
• Wanting out of her highchair after eating 2 bites of her meal.
• While in the car, she may throw her book or toy down on the floor and starts whining for it.
• Whining when Mom/Dad leaves out the garage and the other one is still inside with her.
• Getting into Mom's drawers in the bathroom looking for lipstick and whines when she can't open it (its gloss in a tube that she hasn't figured out yet) even when she knows she is not supposed to be in there in the first place.

If saying "shenanigans" doesn't work, we ask her to use her words where she will then reply with "please" and will either get our help or if its something we do not want her doing, she will try it again and look at us for help where in turn, we redirect her to find something else to do. Sometimes that backfires and she winds up getting into more "trouble". Here are a few examples of straight up mischief she gets herself into:

• Jumping on the couch or bouncing on the armrests. And yes, she has fallen off a few times but has yet to learn that lesson.
• Climbing up onto the coffee table or dining room chairs and onto the dining room table; do note that we have a "friendship" tables that is tall like a cocktail/pub table along with the tall chairs to match. She was caught the other day up on the table eating a blue crayon!
• Climbs onto the chair in the office to "play" on my laptop...more like bang on the keys so that is stopped immediately.

Izzy on the coffee table eating her snack. Then there are the silly, off the wall and fun shenanigans, sort of speak:

• Bouncing on her ball (or dog) and falling off on purpose.
• Playing "BOO" by opening and closing her bedroom door. Trying to do a somersault however she usually winds up in a downward facing dog position and then falling to the side....but she is trying :)
• "Cheers-ing" people with her juice, milk, water and even her food. Imagine her holding up a chicken nugget saying "jeers". Its pretty funny.
• Winking at her Papa which is when she shuts both of her eyes really tight (squishy face returns for that) and opens them back up.

Izzy sitting in my suitcase brushing her teeth and protesting that I don't go anywhere without her. The fun list can go on and on! She is a crack up and is always trying to make people laugh and smile...a lot like her Papa :)

Grandmama and Isabelle in Palm Springs