Flip of the Coin

You flip a coin. You have two options: heads or tails.

Or in The Tackler’s case: behave or misbehave.

Some days, it’s like he’s using a two headed coin, and remains stuck in that mode for the entire day. Other days, it flips with little or no warning.

This morning began benign enough, with the kids sleeping in until 7:30 after an early bedtime (the only perk to short or no naps on Thursday).

It didn’t take long for him to begin edging his way into Hyperactive Ornery Boy.

Maybe he didn’t get enough breakfast. Maybe it’s because he’s due a deposit in a potty (Poopapalooza alert for tonight..).. Maybe it’s because his baby sister was in Mommy Cling Wrap mode.. Whatever the reason… we had an uncharacteristic meltdown this morning (the timing of it that is, typically they happen closer to nap or mealtime if he’s over hungry).

The Tackler was playing “Hide in the Pillows” on the couch with Grandma G. When bursting forth from hiding, he decided to toss a pillow in the direction of the ceiling fan. After being warned the pillow was not to be tossed, he did it again about 10 seconds later.

The pillow was removed; he got mad.

Lil Diva dared to crawl on top of one of the cushions that landed on the floor.

He pushed her off of the cushion.

He was put into Time Out. She came to give him her typical Time Out love… He shoved her down.

I seem to operate on the Rule of Threes. One is testing, two is pushing it, three is being an outright defiant little punk.

Since he misbehaved in Time Out, he was sent to his room (this rarely happens, as he likes his room for the most part). However, as Grandma G was over and Lil Diva doesn’t understand to stay away from him, it was the best punishment.

When he was released from his room, he appeared to have reconsidered being in Punk Mode all day long.

Thank god the coin flipped.

Following our gym excursion (a rather evil pilates class today), The Tackler went into Good Boy Mode.

He listened. He followed directions. He didn’t attack his sister (although she was sleeping for a good part of his waking hours). He went potty when asked to. He stayed in his room and took a nap.  He kept his diaper dry while napping (this isn’t common yet).  He was helpful.

I had to wonder if I’d picked up the wrong child because typically he does not flip the coin when he begins the day in Naughty Boy Mode. He’ll go from Good to Bad, but not vice versa.

I’m a very happy that today was an exception.

So is my sanity.

This good behavior allowed us to have family fun tonight. So did the weather. Thanks to a frontal system and some rain this AM, it was PERFECT park weather tonight (mid-70s with a lovely breeze). Not something very common in this part of Texas until October.

The kids were ecstatic to hit the park after dinner tonight. CG and I traded off kids with one of us playing Follow the Lil Diva(to enforce the No Rock Eating policy) and the other playing whatever game The Tackler wanted to.

She loves to check out rocks (she did this tonight but photo is from last week).

She was in heaven. She’s able to climb the steps on the playground equipment (it has the large metal mesh construction so she can grip it while hoisting herself up). She could even pull herself up a step that is half her height. This equipment also had arched bridges and she spent 10 minutes just pacing the bridge (partially bear crawling the first time while she got used to the grade).

We pointed out the fireflies to The Tackler and he was fascinated. The two Daddy managed to catch stubbornly refused to light up in his hand (darn Texas insects, the Iowa ones would have cooperated).

It was a perfect night, with perfect weather, with (nearly) perfect children, to top off one of the better weeks in parenting. Now if only it would stay that way.

I just wish I’d brought my camera tonight to capture it.