Last weekend, Joel and I attended his 20th high school reunion in Houston so Grant spent the entire weekend with Joel's parents (Mimi & Papa). From what I understand, he was a very good helper! Mimi & Papa have a bed & breakfast outside of Austin in a town called Blanco. Grant was helping Papa with his latest project out there (they are building a plunge pool with a waterfall). I'm sure that Grant was large and in charge. He also helped Mimi at her store, colored, made a few guest apperances around town and was generally just adorable.

For those who don't know, I have instituted a "Thinking Mat" for Grant (a floor mat that he sits on for a couple of minutes when his behavior is not satisfactory). A few weeks ago, he overheard somebody say "dammit!" (for security reasons that person will remain annonymous). Grant is in the parrot-stage of toddlerhood and will repeat everything we say now. I tried ignoring it when he said dammit, but much to my horror he continued to use that word. I finally started putting him on the Thinking Mat and telling him that we don't say that word, we can say "Oh Dear!" or "Oh No!" It has been working...perhaps a little too well.

Yesterday, while cooking dinner, I dropped about a cup of shredded cheese on the floor. Before I could catch myself, I muttered,"Oh crap!" Grant came around the corner and admonished, "Mommy...no say that word!" First of all, I couldn't believe that he heard me say it (I thought I said it under my breath, but apparently his Incredible superpowers allow for bionic hearing). After scolding me, he said, "Mommy, go to my Thinking Mat." What could I do? I was guilty. So I hung my head and took the walk of shame to Grant's Thinking Mat where I sat down. He enjoyed this a little too much...he started walking back and forth lecturing me, "Mommy we no say that word...we say 'Oh No!' or 'Oh Dear!' It seems that the student is now the master...(oh crap :-)