Sometimes, he may try to make it seem like he did it for a legitimate reason.  We have a closet in our hallway, and Aiden isn’t really supposed to open that door.  He’ll open the door anyway, then throw his ball inside.  When we come up to close the door, he points to the ball, as if telling us that he is completely innocent,  and is only trying to get his ball.  Sneaky!

They say that lying, while not exactly a desirable characteristic in children, shows a significant amount of mental development.  You have to both know what is right and wrong, purposely decide to do the wrong one, know of the potential consequences, and try to develop a way/story around it.  At least this isn’t lying, but it sure does demonstrate cunning past that of a 16-month-old.