The Difference Between Girls and Boys

I was opening the back patio door to take the kids outside to play and I almost stepped on something yucky. I am not unaware that a disturbing number of my blog entries are about (or at least include) poop. This is an exception. For once my story has nothing to do with bodily functions. YAY! Nope, today I almost crunched a beetle on the steps. A huge, ugly, nasty beetle. Ew, it bothers me to even think of him. You don't understand. Think of a normal-sized beetle and then picture feeding it steroids. Then multiply that by 3. That's the kind of creature we were dealing with. Beetlesaurus...Godzillabeetle.

The difference between (my) boys and girls is: Sarah caught a glimpse of this intimidating insect and bolted across the yard, screaming like she was on fire. Patrick on the other hand, got very wide-eyed and slowly declared in awe, "NEEEEEAT!" He bent over, his little baby face nearly touching the bug, and studied the beautiful greens and blues on its shell. He watched it crawl around aimlessly and ultimately tumble down the step onto the grass. He followed behind it, creeping so slowly to see where it would go next. Then he tried to eat it. Sarah and I were huddled together on top of their plastic picnic table watching in horror. It was like slow-motion: NOOOOOO!!! Fortunately I got to him in time to avoid catastrophe. Unfortunately I had to make physical contact with the bug.

After much hand washing the kids are watching Tom & Jerry. I've had enough outdoors for today.

Gremlin

When I woke up this morning (actually, when Patrick forced me out of my bed a little before 4) I went to turn on the coffee pot and noticed the Winnie the Pooh step stool that Sarah uses to go potty. It was on the floor in the kitchen. I didn't really think anything of it because, well, it was not even 4 am and my brain wasn't turned on yet. Then I went to sit on the couch while balancing Patrick in one arm and hot coffee in the other.

I took note of several pieces of candy and miscellaneous wrappers strewn on the couch, but again, I brushed it off. It is not uncommon for Rick to snack and watch TV after the rest of us have gone to sleep. I was slightly perturbed because I have yelled at him asked him nicely before about leaving candy laying around where the kids can see it and want it.

Hours later, when Rick (finally) got out of bed I mentioned the candy to him, and he said, "Oh yeah. When I got up around 1 o'clock to use the bathroom I heard noises in the kitchen and came out and saw Sarah licking the icing off the cake." (see picture below now)

I am bothered by this. How often does this happen? Rick caught her and didn't do anything? When I questioned him on what he did about it he said, "Well she wanted a drink so I got her one." Okay, not quite the reaction I think is best to correct this behavior. I have been threatening to ban sweets from the house for many months now, but I have never taken action because I must admit I have the sweetest tooth in this joint and sticking to such a harsh rule is basically impossible. I really am going to start putting my stash up high in a locked box where it's safe though.