On our trip to Colorado, we had a chance to talk to the boys about taking responsibility for their actions. It came about after a disagreement between Chad and me. I kept smelling a paper factory and he swore to me that the smell was emanating from the back seat. For two days we disagreed. Finally, The Culprit making the smell accidentally made a sound that went with it. We entered into a family discussion about how even saying, "I didn't toot!!!" was like fibbing if you did, in fact, toot. We told them it was important to take responsibility for yourself, your actions, and the truth.
We should have thrown in that it's not polite to pass wind in a closed car. Chad was opening the back windows constantly and instead of lying about it, the boys just laughed and claimed it. Proudly. Don't worry, the manners discussion happened too (although I had a hard time keeping a straight face during it), it's just not as funny as the rest of this post.
So, we get to Colorado and there's a beautiful meadow of bluebonnets in front of a mountain. I ask Chad to stop the rented Jeep for picture time. I tell the boys I want a nice shot this time - meaning no funny faces, rabbit ears, gang signs, or tongues.
Here's the first one. Please notice Cole's grin. There's a Cheshire Cat-ness about it, no???
Pearce is the first one to figure out what the grin is all about. Reaction follows:
Mom stops shooting and admonishes the boys. "This time, no funny faces, rabbit ears, gang signs, tongues, or GAS!"
Promises are made. Promises are broken.
I give up. I'll just take pictures of landscape without humans.
Meanwhile, back in the Jeep...
*sigh* Someday, I'm going to get a GREAT shot of MY OWN KIDS!!! And when that day happens, you will be the first to know!
