Miss Manners

#1 is almost 4 years old and ALL boy. I was all kids of feisty while pregnant with him and I now understand why. He is the first to point out "good guys" and "bad guys" and will turn any object into a shooter, sword or fire hose to ensure our imaginary play turns into an action packed adventure ... one that will teeter slightly on the positive edge of actions/things/words that send him to time out. So we talk a lot about nice words, playing gently with others (especially our brother), treating others in ways that you would like to be treated, etc. The other morning while trying to get out the door to work #1 is stalling, stalling some more, starts making up things to stall about. Naturally, I go from the well rested calm mommy ... to the drill sergeant ... to the angry drill Sergeant ... while waiting for #1 to get his backpack and sweatshirt on so we can get out the door. Then I hear something that makes my 3" big girl shoes stop in their tracks ... "Mommy, I think you're being a little bit rude." And with a big laugh (and an apology) my "I'm so late" day was put back into perspective.