Finn: AKA "The Pill"

*Warning, this post involves a poop story. Read at your own risk.

We don't really call him The Pill, but I do refer to him as my birth control. In the last few weeks, Finn has become the most destructive force in our home.
1. He broke our TV (yes, it cost more than I care to admit, but we thought it would last for a year).
2. He toasted metal measuring spoons and broke the toaster. *(I know a 2 year old should not be near a toaster, it was actually the 4 year old who was toasting and Finn jumped in to help).
3. Today, while trying to be helpful with his potty training, he attempted to empty his poop from the potty bowl into the toilet, but his gag reflex is very sensitive, so he ended up barfing all over the bathroom floor. Thank heavens Mark cleaned it all up. By the way, no one was in the bathroom to see this, we just deduced it from the clues. Finn was just walking around (not wiped yet) the house cool as a cucumber. No big deal.

Mark has started calling Finn a raptor (think Jurassic Park) because he constantly adapts to get into things. He was standing on the counter trying to get candy on the fridge the other day. I can't remember all of the other things on my list but actually as I'm reading what I've written, it occurs to me that Finn isn't the problem, it's his parental supervision that is the problem. :(

I guess that's birth control enough.

Parenting Styles

I'm the full-time parent. And, obviously, Mark is the one with a great relationship with our little toadlets. He's the patient, full-of love and long suffering father.

And I love it.

So, here's a typical evening out with the children, like tonight at a friend's birthday picnic.

Me greeting Hostess: "Happy Birthday! It's so good to see you! Thanks for inviting us . . . ." (continues to talk for 10 minutes)

Mark: (carrying Fin, dragging Asher, and hollering after Jaxon) "Jess, do you want to sit over there?"

Me: "Sure honey, just a sec. " (continues chatting)

Mark: (finds a place to sit, corrals children, eyes table for possible foods that children will actually eat)

Me: (joining family) "Are you guys ready to eat?"

Mark and Me: (go to table and get food)

Mark: (sits down and gives a plate of food to Asher, helps Finley eat some watermelon, looks for Jaxon who's off playing on the hammock)

Me: "mmm, this sandwich is delicious. I think the salad turned out pretty well."

Mark: "Did you get any food for Jaxon?"

Me: (frowning) "Uh, no." (continues eating)

Mark: (returns to table to get food for himself.) (upon return) "Jess, what is Finley eating? Did you give that to him?"

Me: (confused) "What? Oh, yeah, I think Asher did" (continues to visit with friends)

Mark: (looking for Jaxon) "Well, I think Jaxon's going to skip dinner tonight"

(continues for 1 hour)

Mark: (exhausted) "I think it's time to go"

Me: (disappointed) "Already?"

Mark: "Yes. I'll get the kids, you get the stuff."

Me: "Well, there's not that much stuff, let's go together."

(we get to the van, and get home)

Me: "Where's the salad bowl? Did we forget it?"

Mark: "I guess. You were supposed to get the stuff."

Me: "Crap. I love that salad bowl."

The End.

And I wonder why Mark doesn't like to go places with the kids!?