Don't tell me no

This morning I woke up first at 5:30 to Bud getting dressed to go on yet another business trip. I can't complain, not really, because his company has not sent him out nearly as much as we thought it would. Plus, it's a little like court-ordered breaks. We don't think we need them because we are way too old and way too mature. Then oddly, when he does travel, it stops some of the bickering and childish behavior like yelling, "BOWLS GO ON THE TOP!" and "JUST TELL ME why YOU THINK THE CHAIR IS A GOOD SUBSTITUTE FOR THE CLOSET?" Long trips get to be too much, but short ones give us time to let the pinch-bruises heal. The second time I woke up this morning, Ella was all, "BLAH BLAH BLAH!" in the guest room and so I scooped her up before she woke Summer entirely. We enjoyed a quiet morning of drinking Ella juice (a shot of apple mixed with mostly water) and Auntie Hope juice (coffee). We also did things like climb repeatedly into the rocking chair and climb repeatedly out and then fling wallets across the floor. The wallets, they are so fun. Also? I kept whispering things in her ear like, "I am your favorite aunt and, actually, favorite person, so try to keep that in mind for future macaroni necklace gifts." She didn't really respond, but I am a firm believer in early indoctrination. I am also one of those progressive people who believes you should explain why a child can't do something instead of just telling him or her no. So this morning when Ella wanted to open the outside closet? The one with lighter fluid and plant fertilizer and other combustibles? I told her we couldn't open it because the door? It was closed. I don't think that kind of explanation will fly much longer like, "No, you can't have a beer because, the law says you have to be 21." It certainly didn't work for me and if her 1 year old behavior is any indication of what her 15 year old behavior will be like then all I can say to Summer is. Brace yourself.