allergies, dirt, and negotiating

Henri has been enjoying playing outside and digging in the dirt. Unfortunately, besides nightly baths, this also has led to his seasonal allergies flaring up. The poor boy gets swollen, itchy eyes. I offer him eye drops, but he doesn't want them. He'd rather have red eyes than endure the pure torture of eye drops twice a day.

***Update: One of Henri's eyes was so itchy, red, and puffy this afternoon that he agreed to the eye drops. Johnny says the little man looks like he's been in a fight.***

While making dinner a few days ago, I peeked out the window to check on Henri. I couldn't see him, which is sometimes the case if he's playing in the dirt by our driveway. Then I noticed his sweatshirt on the ground. I opened the door. Laying on the back steps were his shoes, his socks, his t-shirt, and his pants! I called out to him, and he came skipping over from our garage in only his underwear in 60 degree weather.

"Henri!" I said. "You have to wear your socks and shoes when you're outside. Your feet could get cut on some glass. Why did you take your clothes off?"

"Because that's what little boys do." He called out as he bounded closer to the house.

"Come here and put your clothes back on."

Henri reached the top step, looked at me, and asked, "How about I just put on my socks and shoes and then my feet won't get cut by the glass?"