Family Values

I know this is my second posting today, but something happened that I need to write, or I'll forget.. and I thought it was too funny to ignore. A few weeks ago, I was playing Disney Trivial Pursuit with Will and Jack when I saw that Will had a really REALLY long fingernail. I was alarmed because I usually clip his nails weekly, how could one have grown so disgustingly large? So, without saying a word, I got up to get the clippers and I heard him whisper to Jack " I think she saw it." I said, "Yes, I saw your fingernail. You are gross, and I'm cutting it now." They both started going " No No!! Don't cut it- he's been growing it for so long, we wanted to see how long it could get!!" Apparently, the times I was clipping Will's fingernails, he'd tuck this finger under and distract me, so I missed it altogether. Whatever, I am not going to be nominated for Mom of the Year, big deal. What freaked me out was the fact that when I asked him WHY he was growing this fingernail, he said, and this is a quote, " I needed a goal for this summer."

This was his 'goal'.

I tried to get my kids to read something substantial this summer as a 'goal'- I got Lord of the Flies for Jack ( "Boring", he says) , I tried to make them watch Gone with the Wind with me ("Hogwash!" they cried) In their defense, they did enjoy The Sound of Music, however, they DO NOT like it when I yodel during the marionette scene. At all.

Well, today on the way home from the store, I saw Will looking at his leg again for the zillionth time. I finally asked what was up with that and he said he put a sticker on his leg and wants to see how long it will stay there. "Why?" I asked, but in the back of my head I knew what he was going to say.... " Well, you cut my fingernail off, so I needed a new goal for the summer".

Aim high, my son, aim high!!