My measure of being a good Mom!

I usually aim for three square meals a day; we usually eat at 8, 12, and 6 and usually have fairly well balanced meals (okay not if you count the pop tarts, chicken nuggets, candy, and pizza). These two home bound weeks I feel that our activities have been kind of like our meals - very well balanced. Our weeks have included a good variety of outside play, computer play, play dates, arts and crafts, toy play, and the television. Sometimes I feel like the measure of me being a good Mom is by how much TV my kids watch in a given day (unfortunately usually way to much). With that in mind, I feel really good about these past two weeks..... until yesterday.

Yesterday my measure of being a good Mom wasn't even on the scale, and it had nothing to do with watching too much TV. I locked Graydon in the car. Yes, you read it right.... I locked Graydon in the car. Okay, not on purpose of course, and he really locked himself in the car, but I gave him the opportunity.

He loves to play in the cars while in the driveway (without the keys or ignition of course). Well yesterday while "Daddy Fixer Man" was working out side on his sail boat motor, Graydon was playing in the car. As I walked into the house to go about my tasks I told Curtis that Graydon had the keys, but that there was no way he could get them into the ignition. Later Curtis said he was working pretty hard going about that, leaning over the steering wheel, trying to figure it out. Curtis comes in a few minutes later......

Curtis: Can you come help me please?
Heather: With what (always to inquisitive for Curtis' liking, especially now I am sure)!?
Curtis: It is something really important.
Heather: Sure, I will be right there (I then go outside with Curtis as calm as can be)!
Curtis: You know how you said that it was okay for Graydon to have the keys?
Heather: (Skeptical), yes.
Curtis: He has managed to lock himself in the car!

I am not sure how Curtis was acting so calm, because I was now about to have a heart attack, find the nearest biggest rock (lots of them to choose from), and break the car window to get my baby out! Although that is how I was feeling on the inside, on the outside I was trying to remain just as calm, and talk to Graydon who had the keys in his hand (yes, our only pair). Making a fun "push that button" game out of it, acting as happy as can be, we had three scenarios: 1. He could unlock the car from the keys he was holding (the same way he locked it). 2. He could unlock the car from the inside door lock. 3. He could pull the door handle to open the door.

Option 1 failed to work when he dropped the keys, option 2 almost worked, however he kept hitting the lock button. After maybe five minutes (seemed like hours), and just about the time when he started to get frustrated with our little game, he started to pull at the door handle (option 3). With continued encouragement he pulled the handle, unlocked the door, and was safe in our praising (and extremely relieved) arms! Phew!

I don't have a picture, but here is a picture to show how mischievous he can be! Up to no good in the pantry!