Could it be possible?

Could it be possible that everything at our house is fun? Including time out? Yesterday, as I was preparing dinner, the boys were off playing with some of their toys. All of a sudden Gabriel said, "Mom, can I go to timeout?" I hadn't heard a loud noise (which I've learned usually means something breakable has fallen and been broken) and I didn't hear Michael screaming (which usually means Gabriel has or has taken something Michael wants) so I turned around with a curious look and watched as he trotted over to the timeout chair.

As I new parent, I'm not really sure what the correct protocol is in that scenario so I just went along with it. In normal time out rules, the boys have to sit on a chair for the number of minutes they are old (Gabirel 4 minutes, Michael 3 minutes). So for the pretend time out, or what I'm going to call Self-Selected Time Out, I just did the same. "Okay Gabriel, since you're in time out you sit on the chair until you hear the timer go off, and then I'll be over to talk to you." Okay, so I cheated and I only made him sit there for 3 minutes. Seriously, how could I make him sit there for the entire time if I don't even know what he did wrong? When the 3 minutes were up I walked over to him, squated down to his eye level and tried to maintain a straight face. I said "Gabriel, why did you put yourself in time out?" He responded, "Cause sometimes I don't listen to you and I know I should" (Yet another moment my heart melted). I said, thank you Gabriel for telling me why you are in timeout. Do you have anything else you want to say. He responded, "I'm sorry Mom, I love you" Then we wrapped up Self-Selected Time Out just like we do the unvoluntary ones, with hugs a kiss and a "Now let's go have fun!" Seriously, I'm still trying to figure that one out?

As of this afternoon we have officially been parenting Gabriel and Michael for a week. Thinking back on all that has happened there are so many highlights I can't even begin to explain. We are so thankful and feel like we are in getting into our groove. I tried to take in every moment this week and stash each memory in my mind forever. Perhaps the one piece of advice I have heard for many many years is to cherish the time because kids grow up so quickly. I remind myself of that each day... although we want them to grow into happy, loving and successful men, I'm going to enjoy these days, the days when they want lots of hugs and kisses, becuase someday, I'm guessing they won't want their old mom showing her affection towards them in the same way.

Until next time,
Angie