Taking the advice of seasoned homeschool parents, we are winding down activities these couple of weeks prior to Christmas. But that doesn't keep the tempers from flaring!
The hopeful homeschool parent in me wanted to make advent calendars with the kids. I thought it could be a great learning lesson in math with the measuring and multiplication involved. We found some shoebox tops and cut dividers out of cardboard to make the little candy cubbies.
Right off the bat, no one was interested in this project but me.
"Why can't we just buy advent calendars at the store like everyone else?" Lauren whined.
"Well, if I didn't just have to sink another $350 into our "cheap" Hawaiian vacation, we might have the money for advent calendars!" I angrily retorted.
So as I practically did all the work making the cubbies for the calendars, the kids watched on curious as to whether mom was going to make this project work or not. I usually prefer the kids do the hands on learning, but today I'm going to have to settle for whatever I can get.
I was fairly happy with the final results but when it came time to fill the cubbies with candy, we had a problem. We were a few candies short. Zach was quick to fill all his calendar cubbies leaving Lauren with the empty spots.
"Its ok, Mom." she sweetly offered.
"No it is not ok, I'll go and buy you some more candy today."
She definitely shouldn't have to suffer, especially when Zach decided to gobble down even more candy from Lauren's calendar after I said that.
"Zach! Stop eating Lauren's candy."
"But you said you were going to buy her more."
Fine, whatever... I vengefully decided that Lauren was going to get better candies now.
When I got back from the store, I tried to discreetly fill Lauren's calendar with mini Twix and Butterfinger bars.
But you can NOT hide candy from Zach.
He immediately took notice and was intensely pissed off.
"Why does she get the good candy?" he demanded.
"Well, you took all the other candy so I bought these for Lauren. Hey, there is one extra would you like it?" I suggested, hoping for peace.
"Of course!" he said ripping open the Butterfinger and gobbling it all in one bite.
My peace offering lasted exactly 5 seconds.
"This just isn't fair! Zach screamed, stomping his feet in protest. "Why does she get the good candy? I want that kind of candy. Lauren doesn't even like Twix or Butterfingers."
"I wanted to give you both a fair sampling of candy but you took all the thin mints. So this is what I bought." I said. "If Lauren doesn't like the candy, you can trade with her. But let's let her decide.
I knew this was going to cause a big problem...what was I thinking.
For the next hour...Zach just couldn't let it go. He cried, stomped around, hid under his blanket and made attempts to rip open Lauren's calendar.
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