Scenes from the rule enforcement drama

Lucas is getting used to getting in trouble:

1. This weekend Lucas committed some offense; I already forget exactly what. (Maybe it was playing with Grandma Sally's cordless phone again.) I began the chew-him-out routine. Lucas quickly interjected: "I'm learning!" "Yes, Lucas, you're learning. We're very proud of you."

2. Tonight we went out for dinner downtown. (It was over 70 so we couldn't pass up the opportunity to eat outdoors!) The waitress brought Lucas crayons, which he tends to eat. Mama warned him as soon as she handed them over: "Lucas, I'm going to have to warn you from the beginning: If you eat the crayons, I'll take them away." Lucas listened and then started drawing the bird the waitress had requested. Then he pulled the crayon towards his mouth and announced, "I'm not eating it. I'm thinking about it!" We laughed. Encouraged, he acted like he was nibbling them. "I'm pretending to eat them."