Jennifro

"Who stole the cookie from the cookie jar?

Who me? Couldn't be!"

I'd like to say my kids love Jamestown and Williamsburg for the history or the beauty, but really it's for the gift shops. They literally cannot wait to get into those stores--it's a little unnerving really. Probably most kids are like that, I would imagine, but something about these shops really gets 'em trembling. Nicholas makes a b-line for the rabbit furs, Mitchell to the rifles and Natalie to the horse this or that. Camille just brings me whatever she finds first--and asks, "Can I have dis one? How about dis one?" After Jamestown, we barely made it to the gift shop before it closed, so we let them do a quick once-through, before herding them to the car.

Once in the van, Nicholas offers, "Uh, Mom, look what Camille took out of her coat. Oh! And a cat too!"

Are you kidding me?

"Camille! You didn't pay money for the princess and kitty. You can't keep them."

"But I don't haaaaave one!!" she wails.

What to do? Nick and I responsibly send the children back running to return the smugglings--knowing full well it's closed. Minutes later they're back and breathless and telling us, "It's closed, what should we do?"

Keep them? is what comes to my mind. Wrong answer. Think of the children, Mother. Use this as a teaching moment right here outside of the van, in Jamestown--where our people first fought against things like this.

"Ummmm.. just go set the stuff by the outside door. Some honest person will see it tomorrow and return them to the shop." (Or give them to their own kids).

So the next day. New town.  New gift shop--treasures a plenty. About an hour later we are taking a break on a bench, the weather was wonderful.  Man, I think...Camille's been playing behind the stroller for a long time; that's weird.

"Camille!! Did you steal more stuff?!"

"But I don't have a horsey.......waaaaahhhhh!!!"

"Nick!! Look at this! Your kid stole again!"

So, what was her punishment...you ask?

We bought her a horse.

Of course!