3 yr old scientist

Ok I know this is something that every parent deals with, the "why" phase, but holy crap sometimes I can't deal with it! The hardest part is coming up with an explanation that a 3 yr old can understand. I don't mind the questions, it's me trying to explain it 5 different ways and him still not getting it, but also not letting it go. These are some of the things I have tried, unsuccessfully to explain just this weekend:

- What the "present" was that came in our mailbox. Was it a present for Bella? (her birthday is coming up) No, it was a sample of tampons. He wanted to know what they were, but why can only girls use them, what exactly do you do with them. Can I play with them? This brought up the memory of a black mail picture though. (yes that is what you think it is)


- What is that sign on the road? It is telling us that they are working on the road and we need to drive slow. But why? Because they are fixing the road. But why, what does the sign say? Why can't I see the sign now? Where is the sign?

- Why isn't the crane driller guys still working on the bridge? Where is the blue tanker truck that was working there? But why don't they work at night? Daddy works at night, why does daddy work at night?

- Which led to, is Target closed? Yes Target is closed but daddy works there when they are closed. But why? Is Walmart closed? No Walmart is not closed. Why?

- The police are not going to crash into us. I completely blame this on Spike TV and Pat watching Most Amazing Videos too many times. Will is now convinced that if we see a police man they are going to crash into our car to get us off the road.

- No I don't know why we haven't seen any tractors. It could be because it's 10 p.m. and we are driving on the freeway. That was not an acceptable response. But mom I WANT to see a tractor!

- There is not bird poop on our kitchen floor. No that is a scratch in the linoleum. No I can't explain it any better than that.

All of these but one took place in about a half hour's time. This is why sometimes I guiltily look forward to going to work. Don't get me wrong, Will is a great kid, but I'm just scared that this isn't going to be a short phase and the questions are just going to keep getting harder.

Of course then there are the questions that just melt your heart. Like when singing Hush Little Baby to him and he asked "Why did the horse fall, is he ok or hurt?" and then several weeks later, "Mommy, why you buy me a goat?"