Procrastination Perpetuates Problems

Brayden: "No Kylee! Give me that!"
Kylee: "No!"
Brayden: "Kylee, that's mine!"
Kylee: (Screaming) "Ahhhhh! No!"
Mom: "Kylee, please give that back to Brayden."
Kylee: Pout.
Mom: "Kylee, one."
Kylee: Throws toy and runs screaming to time out.

We made several developmental advances this week. First, Kylee had her first real time out. She does not quite understand that counting to three is a warning system, but rather thinks that as soon as we start counting she is required to serve her 30-second sentence. This is devastating in her little world.

Second, Kylee has finally started saying "no." So far, she only says it to Brayden, as I'm pretty sure that's where she picked it up.

I'll take these changes, however, because it is a natural consequence of my children actually learning to play together. They are doing a good job--Brayden is even helping Kylee learn about Marble Race, which is one of his all-time precious toys. And Kylee has become the great imitator, doing everything her big brother does.

Taylor and I keep plugging along (see blurb at the end of this post for a definition of "plugging along.") Taylor signed up to take his Mackenzie exam in July, so the clock is ticking. I managed to visit-teach all four of my sisters in one week, which is a record.

On Friday night, our friends, the Bighams moved. Luckily, their new house is just down the street from their old one. Taylor went to help with the moving and we had Ella over for a "movie night." In my mind, they were going to eat popcorn and watch a movie.

Well, they watched the previews, anyway.

Typical Dickerson Morning:

On Saturday, I had to take Brayden to the doctor (turns out he had an ear/sinus infection. Too bad he didn't complain about his ear a day earlier. Luckily our pediatrician has "extended hours" on Saturday, but I digress). As we were pulling out of the driveway, late of course, my gas light came on. No worries, I think, there is a gas station along the way. Desperately trying to keep my speed to only 5 miles over the limit, I head to the gas station. When I get there the pumps are gone and the windows are boarded up. Now, I ask you, how can a gas station along a freeway go out of business when they can charge $3.00 a gallon?

So, I travel to the only other gas station I know of in the area (opposite direction of doctor's office) and pull up to the pump a few minutes before Brayden's appointment is scheduled. I go through the the usual routine: swipe card, curse gas prices, select grade, sigh at gas prices, start pump, glare at the "total cost" digital numbers flying to infinity. While deep in my glare, I fail to notice that the tank of gas has filled and gas is now squirting all over my car and the ground.

By the time I pull myself out of my trance, the damage is done. I am now officially paying for gas that the asphalt will be able to use as it travels the town. So, I march into the store and explain my situation. The clerk asks if I would like a car wash. While I would prefer $3.00 less be charged to my card, I agree. She rings me up. Wait a minute--I didn't mean I wanted to pay for a car wash. I re-explain that I would prefer not to pay for the gas on the ground because the pump typically stops once the tank is full, and use the line "Can you see my point of view?" (THANK YOU JODI!) The clerk gets the manager who hands me a $10.00 gas card and apologizes for the inconvenience.

Whew! Well, we are late to the doctor's, but I have been more than adequately rewarded for my time. As we get in line to pull out, I realize we are behind a U-haul which is also on the way back to the freeway. By now, my primal urge to mad dash to the doctor's is back in full force. But I can't be impatient with the U-haul because it is being driven by our good friend Josh and his daughter Ella (who both wave to us--what nice people).

So, I mosey to the freeway behind the friendly U-haul and make my way to the doctors. Once there I realize I had written the time of the appointment down incorrectly and I am right on time, as opposed to 20 minutes late.

Both Kylee and Brayden were champs in the car--for almost a whole hour.

The moral of this story: Don't let the gas light come on. a.k.a. Procrastination Perpetuates Problems.

Will I ever learn? Maybe tomorrow.