Breakfast at Denny's

This morning as we sat in a booth at Denny's I overheard our waitress seating a middle aged couple.

"Is this booth okay?" She politely asked as she directed them to the table behind us.

"No." The woman quickly replied while shaking her head and glancing at our children.

"How about his one?"

"Yes." The couple was seated a little farther from us where they could be free from our little monsters:) (I will add that our monsters behaved extremely well- for monsters that is). I've heard lots of stories about people not wanting children in public places... but I'd never had a first hand experience.

And this is the cat we hired just after to hunt the couple down:)

There's no place like Dome

Here are several reasons why the Dome is so great:

1. Cherry Tree. Already producing lots of goodness. Come get some if you want!

2. 3 Raspberry Bushes. Quite possibly the best thing the Dome has to offer. Has started producing a little. DON'T bother coming for any. We won't share. It's just too important to us.

3. Our T.V. is now placed right at the end of our bed. This means the Husband and I go to bed each night to Dwight Schrut saying, "It has to be official. And it has to be Urine."

4. 100 year old piano! And I've started lessons with my old boss. She's promised that we're going to have an end of summer recital. So look out for invites. You could actually come hear arrangements such as The Wheels on the Bus, The Eencey Weencey Spider, or Head, Shoulder, Sneeze and Toes!

5. Our lawn takes about 30 minutes to mow. Not 2 1/2 hours:)

6. The woman we're living with is extremely helpful with our kids. She taught our Home Evening Lesson on whining for the daughter:) Hope that one sticks.

7. Tic has received some measure of the force. I think moving into Luke Skywalker's dome might have something to do with this. Just watch out when Tic extends that hand!

8. And last, but certainly not least, we're 4 minutes from my parents which is very excellent!

The Lovely Power

Today as I found myself sitting with a leopard, a bear, a baby doll, a blanket, and a "Bubba" in the corner of my 2-year-old's room I couldn't help but ponder what had gotten me into this mess. What could a mom and 5 inanimate toys do to warrent time out? The answer is easy. All 6 of us made the thoughtless, unkind choice to hit. That's not true now that I think of it. I know at least the baby doll bit. I heard her. Well, I heard my daughter's reaction from the other room,

"OW! Doan bite. It hurt! Doan bite, baby. Go time out! Doan bite, baby!"

But I think the rest of us hit. I believe in choice and accountability. I do. Let the crime fit the punishment. And in our house hitting and bitting certainly merit a time out! But it's hard for me to admit to hitting. I was sitting down trying to read when my daughter grabed my hand and smacked it against her own forehead,

"Doan hit! Doan hit, mama."

Then she did it again- smacked herself with my hand,

"Doan hit, Mama! Time out. Mama go time out."

She then led me down the same hall into the same corner as was baby just minutes before. It was hard to feel guilt, to feel that pit in my stomach for doing something wrong. I knew I had done something wrong. I knew it. I just couldn't feel it. My toddler's been acting time out with her stuffed animals for days and I've thought before,

"Good. She understands the process. She understands that there's a consequence when she hurts others! We're getting through to her."

Shortly she came back into the room to check on her delinquents and I took the opportunity to speak up,

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry I hit!"

She must have read past my words and discerned my indifference. Because she said,

"No mama! Stay time out!"

What? What about the process?! As soon as my daughter says sorry she is released from bondage. The power had definitely gone to her head. I knew it. I knew she was my daughter. Oh the POWER! Eventually (I think she let me sit for about 5 minutes) she accepted my apology and allowed me freedom.