what a difference a day makes

This afternoon at work, Bryan called to let me know that he got invited last minute to go to a Twins baseball game with another guy from our meal group. This meant that I would be alone with the kids again tonight. We haven't hungout with Bryan since Sunday morning. I was not looking forward to this at all.

I said to Bryan, "I am saying yes but I want to say no." Tears welled up in my eyes as engineers in cubicles surrounded me. I did not want to deal with the boys alone and I definitely did not want to put the boys to bed after last night's fiasco.

I swallowed hard and knew what I was facing. Bryan picked up the boys from school so that he could see them for a little while until I got home. He was out the door as soon as I got home.

The boys did surprisingly well, relative to last night. They ate a healthy home-cooked meal. I bribed them with ice cream to play some keys on the piano/keyboard. Jaden actually played through Mary Had a Little Lamb. This was a first and we sure celebrated. He has not been very cooperative to do what he is asked. No surprise. He is his own man and doesn't like instruction from anyone. Don't know where he gets that from...ha ha.

When it came time to get ready for bed, Jaden got 2 of his 3 stuffed animals taken away for not doing things that I repeatedly asked him to do. He kept up the whining, complaining, asking, bargaining and negotiating until I left him, about 30 minutes later. He is the most persistent kid, I have ever met. He sure is good at wearing me down but tonight I stood my ground and didn't yell. I stayed calm which is amazing. I left their bedroom and they both were quiet and asleep within 5 minutes...as it should be. Extra thanks going up to God.