I Have a Feelin'....

Today is the first day Flower has been home on summer break, and Daddy hasn't at home because of a holiday.  Now, that part is very important...the part about Daddy not being here.  You see, my kids act completely different when Dad is around.  They behave when Dad is here.  


Already today, I've been reffing fights between Flower and Little Man.  I've successfully stopped Little Man from being forced to wear a dress and makeup.  I've even been somewhat successful in helping Little Man learned to go potty on the big boy potty, and somewhere in between all of this, I have gotten all the laundry done, and most of the house cleaned.


Then Flower comes running into the house, with her friend from across the street.  


"Mom, we were wondering if we could borrow 4 thumbtacks, and the orange plastic bullets that dad used in his air pistol.
 Picture here an adorable little girl and little boy, 8 years old, smiling as innocently and sweetly as they can, hiding their devious little plan.
"Do you want to explain why you need those things?"
"No."
"Well, you better."
"Well.......see we were coloring.  And we made a bulls eye.  And we were going to hang it on his fence."
"Why."
"For target practice."
"With a gun?!"
"Well, no, I mean, not like, a big gun, like, umm, the ones you and dad have, but, umm, its another kind."
enter friend, trying to help smooth talk their way into devious plan
"Yeah, its cool.  Its one my dad got me.  Its made for kids. And my mom is really OK with it."
"Did you ask your mom?"
"Well, no, not yet, I mean, we were going to get these things and since its OK with you she would let us."
Flower - "Besides, she's gonna hear us shooting anyway."
"No, you should ask before she hears you."
"Oh, yeah."
"I don't think I like the sounds of this plan.  You didn't really think this one through, did you?"
heads hanging low, like someone just took away their birthday
"No ma'am."
"Maybe better luck next time, guys."


I swear to you, 5 minutes later they came back.  The only thing they asked was "Is it next time yet?!"


This might be a long summer.  The unfortunate thing for me, is that Flower is just like I was at her age.  The unfortunate thing for her, though, is that she is just like I was at her age.  


Battle of wits....here we come.