Table Scraps

Now, the juices are flowing again. whew!



I am notorious for using the words "shut up." Naturally, the children have picked it up and along with neighbor kiddos use it in abundance. Recently, Tim declared that "we will not be a 'shut up' family!" This was directed mostly to me. I tried to explain my position. I agreed that it shouldn't be over used but there are certain times when the kids are fighting or yammering on at each other about such nonsense, nothing else seems to fit.


Tim wasn't buying it. He shot me down with a look and I threw my hands up in surrender. Not even five minutes later, the two oldest engaged in a classic battle of "did not -did too -did not -did too." The decibel level inched higher with each round. I submitted, bit my tongue, and offered Tim a "what now?" look. He began with great confidence. "Since you two have so much to say to each other, I will turn this into a positive situation (a smug look in my direction) by having each of you say something that you like about the other." crickets. "Who's going to go first?" A tumble weed rolled across the kitchen floor.


"Nathan, you have nothing nice to say about your sister?" The reply was firm. "No!"


"Mamoune, can you think of anything that you like about your brother? Another wall. "No."


"Well, if you cannot say one single nice thing to each other then...then...you should probably both just...just...shut...up!"


AHHHHH! Sweet freedom! Sing with me: "My chains are gone, I've been set free..." Oh, how I laughed. The fact that he tried so stinkin' hard makes me love him. The fact that he gave up makes me love him even more!