Back Then

*Aiden: Mom, I'm really sorry about something that I need your help with.

*I was outside shooting hoops with Avery when Amanda poked her head outside.  Mom, I gave Aiden the test and he passed.  I said, 'Aiden, do you want a cigarette?' and he said "no thank you". 

(It might be helpful to know that I do role-playing with my kids and this cigarette one is from when we had a 10 year-old living in our house.  I think role playing is important for several reasons.  First, I want them to know that I know they'll be faced with temptation to lie, smoke, take candy from a stranger, keep an inappropriate secret, etc.  I want our dialogue to already have been opened about it when those things present themselves.  And, I want them to be prepared.  I want them to know, from practice here at home what their response should be when an adult tells them "its our secret, don't tell your parents".  And see?  Four year-old Aiden has already said "no" to cigarettes....by the time he's asked in high school, his sister will have already asked him 347 times.)  Now there's a parenthesis sidebar for you!  :)

* For those wondering, this was the cape of the day.  It is a piece of flooring pad, taped on with painters tape.  Both plentiful items around here.  :)

*The kids had worked really hard on their homework and chores in preparation for us sitting down to watch an American Girl movie.  I was downstairs doing laundry and Avery said, Mom, we're all ready to watch the movie!

Me: Ok...I wish it was a Christmas movie.  We have Miracle on 34th Street...what about that one?

Avery: No, I don't like that one.  Its too...."back then".

Then she called her brother and sister down...

Avery:  Amanda!  Aiden!  Do you want me to show you something??  Its over here.  I'll give you a hint....it was Mommy's from "back then".  Its called a clarinet...and it still works!

So wait.  Miracle on 34th Street (release date 1947!) and the clarinet that my parents bought for me in high school are BOTH from "back then"???