Mommy's timeout

I am so glad that spankings are no longer cool. Because today, I got a time out, and I loved every minute of it.

We had a super busy morning. Andrew had a golf league that began at 7 am that Chris dropped him at on his way to work. Brendan, Evan, and I decided that we should also go golfing and left around 8:30 to golf. At 10:30, we picked up Andrew and went to visit with a friend for a few minutes before having lunch. We went to the grocery store-- yes, all three of us-- and I managed to escape only $20 over my normal average. Not too shabby considering the circumstances. Then, we went bowling and to the library.

By the time we finished all of this, it was around 3, and I was out of energy and patience. When we got home, I was cleaning up when Evan tripped over a game left out on the floor. He defiantly began questioning everyone about who left this game on the floor. Finally, I confessed. It was me! (In truth, it was Evan because he left it there after we finished last night.)

I then told him I would voluntarily take a timeout. By myself. On the back deck. In the sun. With my book.

Evan told everyone not to bother me that I had been bad and was in timeout, and for ten beautiful minutes, I sat reading with no loud "MOM"s being shouted my way. Ironically, it was Evan who realized that without me, there was no one to tattle to, get food from, or read with, so he wanted me back. He told me that my 45 minute timeout was enough. 45 minutes?? In my dreams.

But for now, I will take my timeouts wherever I can get them. So, when the questions get asked: Who took my shirt? Who moved my book? Who put water on the floor? The answer will always be MOM.