Lamp Debacle

It's been so cold lately that we haven't really been up to much. There have been 2 decent snows and Will has enjoyed playing in them. He got a snowman kit from a friend a couple of years ago - it's so cute with a hat, scarf, eyes, nose, pipe, buttons, etc. Each time we've gotten ready to go play in the snow we've gotten out this kit - and each time it's been so cold the snow is so powdery that we can barely make snowballs let alone a snowman.

Spending all this time inside has made for some interesting adventures. Last weekend I was getting out of the shower and Luke and Will were in our bedroom playing. I heard a loud CRASH with the sound of glass breaking. After I could hear that everyone was ok I calmly said to Luke 'Please tell me that wasn't my lamp.' Of course it was. My favorite lamp. The lamp I use every night to read before I go to sleep. The lamp that I was SO excited to be able to use again for this next baby because it has 3 brightnesses and it is PERFECT because it's touch and I don't have to search for a cord or switch, I just touch it. I have already searched unsuccessfully for another lamp like this because I love it so much, so I knew there would be no replacing it. Fortunately the only part that had broken was the glass shade that covers the light - the actual lamp was working just fine. YAY!

Will seemed to "get" that he had done something wrong. He kept saying "I broke your lamp." "Mama sad." "You have to get a new one at the store." I tried to explain to him that when things break you can't always just go to the store and get a new one. (even though I knew that was precisely what I was going to do) I also told him that if he was old enough, I would be taking the cost of the lamp out of his allowance.

So we got online and found a diffuser as close as possible to the one that had been broken. It was $7.25. Not bad at all. So I put it in my cart, go to check out and lo and behold my total is just over $25 with shipping. Seriously? But whatever, I love this lamp! So this past Tuesday the new diffuser comes in the mail and I promptly put it on. All is well in the lamp world.

Wednesday, THE NEXT DAY, I am talking on the phone when I hear a crash and glass tumbling to the floor. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? You can guess the rest of the story... And no, I'm not kidding.

What!?!

This weekend as Luke and I moved in the new bed we went through a ton of toys. Ever since Will was born Luke and I have made it a point not to overinduldge Will and buy him a million gifts for birthdays and Christmas. Regardless, we both noticed that his room was starting to look a bit out of control. We decided this was the perfect time to sort things out in there. (especially considering that for about 4 months Will and the new baby will be sharing a room - and we all know how much "gear" comes with a baby) So out of necessity and preparation for baby we took on the task of sorting through Will's room and made 3 piles: Put in Storage, Goodwill, and Throw Away. I'm very pleased with the results - and I was especially pleased that Will didn't throw too much of a tantrum as he saw toy after toy go into a bin and also that Luke and I made it through the process without any differences of opinion. Mission Successful!

As we were all working away, Will picked up a toy, hurt his finger and said "OW! Damnit!" (GASP) - Luke and I both looked at each other with buldging eyes, jaws dropped, and after a split second we both started pointing at each other, mouthing "it was YOU!" Fortunately Will's back was to us and didn't see our reactions, because I'm sure if he had he would have continued to repeat it just to get the reaction again. I racked my brain trying to remember all of those articles in Parents and Wonder Time and all the magazines I now read and hoping that they would come in handy in my time of need. I remembered that I read that the first time it happens you should just ignore it, don't react - and it probably won't happen again. I was extra grateful Will wasn't looking at us becuase we were both so shocked that there was NO WAY we would have been able to act like it was no big deal. After we recovered I had two thoughts: #1, I was happy that actually it took 2 1/2 years for it to happen, and #2, I was very proud that he used the word in the correct context. He's so smart!

Really....you WANT one?

So last night I ran out to the garden to grab a banana pepper to put on my salad for dinner. When I came back inside, Will was excitedly jumping on the couch. The minute I got inside he bounced down into a sitting position and just smiled at me. Now, he knows better than to jump on the couch. So I told him "No, no. Will, you know we don't jump on the couch. If you jump on the couch again you are going to get a time out." I proceeded in to the kitchen to clean and cut the pepper. And I hear a bounce, bounce. I peek around the corner and yep, sure enough he's jumping on the couch. So I said "Ok, Will, I told you if you jumped on the couch again you're getting a time out, so come on, Time Out." Before I could even get those words out he said "OK," hopped off the couch and was headed into the kitchen. He said "Excuse Me!" as he raced around the dog, who was lying in his path, and then thanked me for pulling out the kitchen chair for him to sit on.

....I had to turn around because I couldn't help laughing. It was like he had fully embraced the "do the crime, do the time" concept and jumping on the couch was definitely worth the two minute time out.