Of Teens and Tots

Well, we've had a little bit of improvement on the teenage front around here. We told Anna that she was grounded until she did everything expected of her without being told and started acting like a human being again. The turnaround has been amazing. I guess she realized that 5 years could be a very long time. Of course, she still hates us; but we're past caring.

Theo and Larry are escaping on a weekend bike trip tomorrow morning. That leaves me as chief prison warden, making sure that Rachel doesn't get her hands on anything that she could possibly do mischief with. Which is, uh, everything you can imagine. She scares me. I don't want to be left alone with her. Preschool isn't helping. The teachers there pride themselves on teaching the children to improve their fine motor skills and to become more independent. Just what we need. Thanks a lot.

Oh, and Rachel knows how to drive. She told me so. We don't doubt it for a minute. Larry and I are assiduously hiding all car keys.

Halloween went well, though Larry once again took all my candy to his office the next day. He could have left me a few pieces, don't you think? He says it was all gone by the end of the day. And he thinks I'm a glutton.

Theo turned 15 and we couldn't think of anything really wow to get for him. But next year, that's different. He'll be 16, and eligible for a driver's permit, and we all know what that means - it means he is getting a really, really nice bicycle. Because we won't be able to afford car insurance for a teenage male. But, hey, it doesn't matter - Rachel knows how to drive. And I don't think State Farm has any insurance rates for 4-year-old girls.

Thanksgiving's coming - yes! No gifts, just food - how simple can it get? Roll out Tom Turkey, cook some cranberry sauce, round up anyone who has nowhere to go - instant holiday! I wish December were that easy. One good thing, though - we're not traveling all the way up to Maine this Christmas. Seems Auntie Kate, um, felt a little uneasy about having our 4-year-old monster staying in her house after the slashed-suitcase incident (see previous post). Talk about a silver lining...