Kintropy In Action

"Mind if I go get my hair cut tonight?"

I had just walked in the door, work still unfurling slowly (but never completely) from my mind.  The transition was abrupt, and I answered reflexively, "I don't know if that will work for me."  I paused.  A few more decimals shook free.  "Um, let's see after dinner - once I settle in."

Janette agreed, and we enjoyed the chicken she had prepared in a chinese soy and ginger sauce.  Gabriel had his plain - no sauce; Hannah, her Pediasure.  Hannah has been a handful at the table lately, demanding to be put down as soon as she joins us.  We've pushed anyway (that's why it's called a family dinner), but tonight, neither Janette nor I felt like fighting.  Hannah played happily away on the floor.  Janette included her in the conversation anyway from the table.

By the time dinner had finished, I said, "Sounds fine."

And Janette cut a bee-line to the door.

Gabriel wanted to watch his new Mario Bros. 3 DVD (the entire Saturday morning series for just $20   - too much, believe me), so I set him up in our bedroom, and Hannah and I hunkered down for some play, singing, and watching her 7pm game shows.  After several pick-me-up, put-me-down sequential demands from The Princess, I set her down on the floor. 

 

 
She immediately cranked up a loud, arm-waving tantrum.  As she began creening, I matched her voice and tone briefly.  Her tantrum blended to laughter.  Her bluff had been called.  She turned back toward the tv and her Babbling Bee toy, still smiling. 

 

-- Dad