It Actually Worked

Sitting at the computer this morning, I think I might like to just, you know, read a few e-mails and blogs and stuff. If you ever see the hour of my postings, you know that usually only occurs AFTER all is quiet in the house (about midnight).

So, I am reading and I hear a lot of crying coming from Loumy and, from his tone, I know he has been excluded from his sisters' play. Sure enough, when he stops crying enough for me to interpret his languishings, I discover that there was no place for him on the "Nickelodeon Cruise Ship" game the girls have just invented. As I listen to his complaints, I notice Loumy's fingernails. Gross.

"Hey, Loumy!" I say quietly to him and with a big smile. "Do NOT tell the girls. I have something really cool for just the two of us! Go up and find your secret, special nail clippers and quietly come back to me and I will trim your nails!"

He pauses and looks suspicious. But I persist.

"But you CANNOT tell the girls about this. You have to be very sneaky as you get the clippers. Go, now! Quickly! But quietly!"

And...it actually works! I look over at Chancho (at work on his own computer). He just shrugs and is as shocked as I am that Loumy fell for it.

Shortly thereafter, the girls are begging for some Gatorade because it is so "freaking hot" on their cruise ship. I use this as leverage to get Loumy in on the action.

"But there is nothing for him to 'be' on the cruise ship!" String Cheese protests.

"What do you mean?" I cry. "Don't you know anything about the Pacific Princess Cruise Ship? That is the best cruise ship and there is room for everybody on it. He could be a bartender, you know, the one to bring the Gatorade."
All was agreed and soon Loumy was not only the lowly bartender but the captain of the ship! And now I am blogging about it in the coolness of my quiet basement because instead of yelling and putting everybody in time-out, I was very astute and it actually worked!