Last night, the kids were all playing in the boys’ room. They love playing in there with the baby gate up, as I’m emptying the dishwasher, cooking, etc. They beg me to “let” them play in there each afternoon, and I go along with it, pretending I am allowing them something special. In reality, it’s a wonderful opportunity to have them all caged. I mean, contained. They enjoy playing with each other so much, and it is really fun to watch them interact with each other as they make up crazy games. Naturally, they fight at times. Last night, there were screams, toys hitting the wall, and lots of crying. I went in numerous times and reminded them that if they wanted to play together, they had to share and take turns. I left the room and the fighting amplified. Again, I went in and refereed the round and told them that if I had to come back in again they’d all be getting a time out. Taylor looked at me, put her hands on her tiny little hips and said “Well Mom, you don’t actually have enough timeout spots for all of us you know.” Instead of laughing at her or smacking those hands right off her hips (both scenarios played out in my mind), I gave her the Mom-Stare, complete with raised eyes. I’m pretty sure moms are taught how to do that before we leave the hospital with our newborns. It must be part of the package. Anyway, I looked at her and dared her to try me. Sure enough, as soon as I turned around, they all jumped on the game they were fighting over. Hair was pulled, shirt collars were twisted, faces were smothered. I immediately returned, hoisted all three small people over the gate and informed them of where to sit. Taylor cried and threw an absolute tantrum until she realized that I wasn’t giving in, and that they each needed to sit there for five minutes in silence until I would release them from the three time out spots they didn’t know existed.

Todd came in from walking the dog and could barely contain his laughter. The kids apologized to each other, hugged it out like they were on a Monday night sitcom, and went about their night…happily.