"Pretend I'm me."

A few other recent Austin moments:

In church last week, Austin said he really had to use the bathroom. "Don't worry, Mom, I can go by myself," he said. You'd think after 4 1/2 yrs with the kid, that would be my first clue that something was up. But, being the somewhat naive mom that I am, and not wanting to leave during the great talk that was being given; I let him go, thinking to myself, "Wow, it's so nice that he's getting older."
About 10 minutes later was the first time I realized he had not returned from his trip to the bathroom (it was a really good meeting). I left the chapel and found him holding the door open for everyone who came in or went out (seems innocent enough, right?). So I said, "Austin, let's go back into the chapel." He thought about it for a minute, then responded sweetly, "Mom, I know this is a sad choice, but I just want to make the wrong choice this time."

I told Austin that he needed to eat lunch before having the treat he had in his hand. A minute later, I saw him walk to Michael's office, plop down on the couch, and say "Wow, Dad. That Mama is one tough cookie," while shaking his head in a much-too-grown up way.