And YOU thought I looked all innocent!

James and I introduced a new approach to jobs/chores/earning in our home last Friday.  (We are following the system laid out in the book "Entitlement Trap".)  We told the kids to get dressed nicely for a "business dinner", then we took them to dinner and explained the new system to them.  We even had them sign contracts, which they were pretty happy to do, because this system allows them to earn more than they've been able to previously.
So, after the contracts are signed, and we are enjoying our dinner together, Brianna says, "So what are YOU guys gunning to do now?" (meaning James and I.)  "Just sit around and play with OUR toys all day?"

Man, I can't believe she figured out our devious plan so quickly!  We've just been WAITING for our kids to be old enough to do ALL the work, so that we could finally have some REAL play time.  I've had my eye on her Fisher Price family for years now!  Good thing she signed the contract BEFORE she figured it all out!  Mwah-ha-ha-ha!

Self-Defense, very important

When I told Ben that I would be going out of town next weekend, alone, he became very worried.  He hugged me tightly and asked me to not go.  I asked him why and he indicated that he was worried for my safety.  I told him that I would be fine, and observed that he never gets so worried when James goes out of town.  He said, "But you're not tough!"
"Mommy's tougher than you think she is, and I will be just fine." I replied.
"Ya, but if some big, mean guys start bullying you, you can't just noogie them to death!" he said.

He has a point, you know.  That's why I have added to my self-defense repertoire armpit-tickling, belly-zerbitzing, bum-goosing, and rib-counting.  For all you mom's out there, self-defense starts in the home, and I prefer to practice all these maneuvers regularly on my children.  You never know when you'll need them to fight off the big, mean bullies of the world!