There has been a real problem around here lately with spitting and talking back. While I appreciate a good smart a** as much as the next person, it really isn't as well-received in a four-year-old and I have no patience for spitting. Time out and loss of privileges has made little difference in the problem - time to go old school.

With fond memories of my childhood encounters with a bar of Ivory soap, I decided it was time to mix up a batch of "Sassy Spray" - aka vinegar and water in a spray bottle. I was certain this would be the cure for the current problem. Have I mentioned over-confidence is also occasionally a problem in our house?

It wasn't long before we had the opportunity to test out the spray.
The encounter went something like this:
Me: "Little Man, go to time out!"
LM: "NO!" (followed by spitting)
*Little Man placed in time out*
Me: "We don't spit! Do you want Sassy Spray?"
LM: "Yeah" (opens his mouth and smiles)
*Sassy Spray used, small amount of foaming noted as he smiles and swallows it*
LM: "I like Sassy Spray." (spits and opens mouth) "I want Sassy Spray!"

Okay ... this isn't how it's supposed to work! Guess I should have stuck with the Ivory ... but, even after all these years, I still can't bring myself to buy it!

Fine Dining

I have never been the fancy restaurant kinda girl. After becoming a mother, the concept of "fine dining" is practically nonexistent. My idea of dinner out ... actually going into McDonald's instead of hitting the drive-thru. Meals fixed at home also tend to be quick and easy. This is not to say that I don't cook ... it just tends to be in a crock pot or casserole dish.

A few nights ago was no exception. After running errands with the kids all afternoon, five o'clock came much sooner than I had anticipated. Reaching for something quick and easy, tuna salad sandwiches became dinner for the night. Kids plates were prepared, although there was no real hope of them actually consuming said food. However, the promise of a Little Debbie "heart cake" after dinner was on my side. Little Man refused to touch his sandwich, but surprisingly Diva actually ate a few bites from around the edges. That heart cake was sitting on the counter taunting her ... she really had no choice but to eat the tuna.

As we were finishing dinner, I hear:
"Momma, I like my sandwich ... next time can you put less skunk in it."
Huh? Surely I misunderstood that one?
"What baby?"
"Can you put less skunk in it? I don't like skunk."

I will admit to some "creative" cooking, especially early in my marriage. We have eaten dry chicken, crunchy rice and mushy pasta as I learned how to cook. There was an unfortunate incident when a can of jalapenos was mistaken for green chiles. However, I have never served skunk ... ill-prepared or otherwise!