What's in a Name?

Lately I've been entertaining a bit more, trying to squeeze in visits with family and friends that I know we will be seeing less of after our move.  I've come to realize that the Babe has been getting funny with names.  Wives have been called by their husband's names, others by their related title ("I must talk to your wife"), and others by names of different friends.  Sometimes I think its truly a slip of the tongue, but once she has you on the hook, she keeps playing it up. 

A friend recently visited, who the Babe has met on several occasions.  Halfway through lunch she started calling him by another male friend's name.  She knows both well, and knows they are two totally different men (in stature, in ethnicity, and personality).  However, after a few slips of the name, she clearly got a kick out of calling him by the wrong one.  So for the rest of the afternoon she delighted in calling him by the wrong one.  Sometimes it was with a straight face, but a bright twinkle in her eye.  Fortunately he was a good sport.

The Babe is turning into more of a ham, but she's also becoming more demanding.  She was very upset yesterday that our guests chose to sit in the dining room to linger over adult discussion rather than to come and play with her.  After a while, we joined her, but she was definitely put out.  Clearly being an only child has led her to believe that anyone who is in our house is here for her, to either entertain her or be entertained by her.  Of course age is a factor, too.  I do try to instruct her on what is appropriate.  Oftentimes though most people find her precocious, so she gets away with it and the lesson isn't always enforced.   While I want her to be able to play and have fun, I also want her to know what is appropriate and be polite.  I don't think we need to be sticklers for manners, but there are definitely a few things we need to work on.