So, this week was Big Daddy's vacation which I take as my own to spend as much time with the man as I can. That means it was just us and our kids all week long. For the most part it was amazing. wonderful. I loved it. but we had a problem. The serious part of the problem, the that's it, no more part of the problem, started Wednesday. I convinced him to go to story time with us, which was fine, he helped the goofy one pick out some books. Then we decided to run by the Dollar Tree (where everything's $1). We were after picture frames for the kids' school time schedules. mid-shopping, I grabbed the screaming, fighting kids and bolted, leaving Big Daddy on his own to check out.

We got to the car and I let them know I was very disappointed in their behavior. At 12, Walter knows better. At 6, there is no excuse for what happened in there. It's time to stop babying the baby. They are in Trouble. Boy, you want to make my job harder? I'm your mother. I can make your life hell. You don't want to mess with me.

I have certain phrases that tell my boys where they are headed. I hear Walter bullying/bossing his brothers... "Oh, yeah? you want to be boss?" NO!!!! "You can be boss. I will let you. You can be boss all day long." NO, Mom, no, please, no! Alright, then. Problem solved. Cruella... "You really want to miss that bus and spend the day here?" NO!!!! ok, then. Get a move on.

Walter knew what was coming when we got home, the Goofy child had no clue. But he found out quick. Walter cleaned the stairs while I directed the Goofy child to pick up the living room and the bathroom. Walter changed the kitty litter, cleaned the entry way and started on the kitchen while Goofy picked up my room, the hall and Alex's room. This is where the Goofy child broke. He doesn't want to do my job. He can't take it. It's too much work. Alright, then. Listen up. This is a lot of work for me, too. I have a lot to do and I need him to do his job so I can do my job. His job is to follow the rules, to do his chores and to do what is expected of him to do for himself. When he pulls his weight, no one else has to do it, making their job harder than it needs to be. He assures me that he understands.

Thursday, we go grocery shopping. The goofy one ends up in the front of the cart because of his behavior. He dumps his soda on Walter's new watch to see if it's water proof. Fight. "Do you really want to make my job harder?" NO!!! Knock it off. now. We get checked out, ...let me mention that Alex has been no angel this trip either..., so, we get checked out and suddenly Goofy is screaming. Walter smacked him. Alright, then. NO, Mom!!!! Oh, yeah. Big Daddy makes a comment about them thinking this is funny. I promised him that they wouldn't be laughing in an hour. I can only imagine what the people staring at us were thinking but that's alright, they can just be thankful I'm not raising their children. We get home, Walter helps his dad put groceries away while I get started with the goofy child. Goofy cleans up the house, Walter follows up with the details- floors and such.

Thursday night, we get the Little Dementor and my brother back. Friday morning, we need to run to get clothesline and dish soap. Before we got out of the car, I looked at Goofy. I said "Do you want to make my job harder?" NO!!!! Ok, then. 1. walk nicely. 2. stay close. If you can't reach out and touch me or your dad, you are not close. 3. nice voices. If you do not follow these rules, you are making my job harder. It was the best trip yet.