Fear Factor

 Did you know that it has been not scientifically proven that a baby can smell her mother's presence through a closed door.  It's probably the smell of fear that they are actually attuned to, but nonetheless.  I hold my breath and walk on tiptoe past the baby's room and still get busted nearly every time.  My fear is pungent.

Besides waking the babies, I have another fear currently in the forefront of my mind.  Don't mind me, this is just another episode of True Confessions...  Here it is: the boys are getting so much outside time that they are building up incredible endurance.  It's great really, but it is becoming so hard to wear them out. It used to be an hour at the playground and we were golden.  Now, they basically put in an eight-hour workday, and it's just a warm-up!  Does anybody have a treadmill....?  Real school is going to be a bit of an adjustment for the big guy next fall.   

Speaking of school, it isn't currently a huge concern for him.  He is already smarter than me - so says the six going on sixteen-year-old.  I told him that was incorrect, but I'm pretty sure he remains unconvinced.  Apparently, some of our praise and compliments have fed his ego more than we intended.  We look forward to his classmates rectifying that mistake.  In the meantime, this mama bear needs to brush up on her animal trivia...     

In the realm of intelligence, it probably doesn't help my case that I forget half of the things that I tell the boys.  Remembering punishments is the worst.  "If you do that again, XYZ will happen."  When the behavior comes up again, I have no idea what I said the prior time.  Fortunately, I have a little work around.  When I can't remember what X-Y-or Z was, I use this magical line: "What did I say would happen if you did that again!!?!"  Right now, the kids are naïve enough to think I'm testing them.  They obediently tell me the answer, so I can dole out the afore promised punishment.  Winner.  Moms and Dads everywhere, you are welcome.  No guarantees how long this will work, but for now, I guess I am smarter than a six-year-old.