Sean and I had an appointment the other night. Since we had no sitter, we opted to let them stay by themselves.
They had the same rules as always:don't answer the phone, (unless it's mommy or daddy), don't answer the door, don't get on the computer and don't eat anything.
As we were leaving our appointment, Sean called to say we were on our way home. Noelle said she was tired and was going to bed.
When we got home, Noelle was up in her room and Michael was in the kitchen. I came in and gave him a hug and kiss and told him to go to bed. He looks at me and says, "mommy, we did some stuff we weren't supposed to".
Suddenly, I have flashbacks to Amy and my own "Home Alone" experiences. The green cakes we would make, dressing up in mom's work clothes (yes mom, we did that) and roller skating through the house.
I looked at Michael and asked him what had happened. He said he had gotten on the computer and that Noelle had eaten pickles and chips. (I guess she needed some sodium) I then asked him how he felt about it and he said "real bad". I told him to go brush his teeth.
Next, I was in Noelle's room and told her I heard what went on. She said her tummy hurt, (I wonder why) and said she knew she was grounded. I then said that I thought the guilt they were both feeling was punishment enough.
Not 20 minutes later they are calling me back upstairs. They are begging to be grounded! I thought "I'm in the wrong house". I told them both they were grounded for two days and then they thanked me. Noelle's tummy felt better and Michael went right to sleep.
Now, when it comes to grounding, Michael will remind you he is grounded. He will also remind you when his sister is grounded. Noelle will tell you when Michael is grounded. I think she would spill international secrets to get out of being grounded.
Michael will take his punishment and move on with life, whereas Noelle will take her punishment while complaining and try to find some way that it "wasn't my fault". Oh the drama!!
I have always thought that Noelle Prideaux sounded like a good name for an actress.
