E is for Eric

I love a structured day. Life without some sort of schedule wreaks havoc in my world. When Talmage started 1st grade this year, and started bringing home "real" homework, we had to introduce homework time as part of our scheduled day. So, as soon as Talmage gets home from school, he and Eric enjoy a snack, and then we dive right in for our 15 minutes of homework. While Talmage does his assigned homework, Eric works on the classic preschool criteria of puzzles, tracing letters, and coloring.

Earlier this week, as I stepped away from the homework table, I heard my little darlings quarreling as to whether Eric could really write (or even recognize) the letter 'E'. Talmage was conviced that he was calling Eric on his bluff, and produced paper and pencil for him to write it down to prove it. I was elated as my little genius, without pause, confidently scribbled out a very legible letter 'E'. My inner voiced cheered, "my child is brilliant!!"

My very brilliant child lost his Einstein status two days later as I was walking down the hallway in our house. I happened to come across Eric's new skill with penmanship on the wall. What do you do when your child takes a marker and cleverly display's his talent for all to see in your home? You very sternly tell him (in your best super nanny voice) that this is "unacceptable behavior" and he'll need to have a time out.......just as soon as you have finished taking several "I'm in trouble" pictures next to his art work. The time out was soon forgotten after a hilarious photo session, a very heart felt, "I'm sorry mommy", and help from Mr. Clean's Magic Eraser.

Eric is one I have to watch. He pretty much does the opposite of what you tell him to do, and recently has figured out that being "naughty" is kind of fun.

Last Friday, I was continuing down the road to domestic excellence by attempting to make strawberry freezer jam. I was just starting to bring the pectin to boiling when I realized the house was eerily quiet and I hadn't seen Eric in awhile.

After a quick walk through of the house, I had an inkling to look outside. When I looked out the front window I found him, buck naked, on the front lawn, showing his goodies for the world to see.

I quickly ran out front and asked him what he was doing. His reply, "Mom, I can't find my batman suit!" My reply, "Well buddy, I'm pretty sure it's not out here."

This was another one of those moments when I couldn't help but laugh at the free spirited qualities of my little exhibitionist. Come on, don't we all have those moments when we want to strip our clothes off and go streaking down our neighborhoods? What!!?? You don't...oh..., yeah..., me neither, I was just totally kidding!! Ha, ha, ha!!

Eric, just remember that I will always be watching you!!