Last week, our family spent five days in Bethany Beach, DE. This week is filled with back-to-school activities and more medical appointments than any person without school age children would ever schedule in a month! As a result, at breakfast, my children wanted to know what they’d be doing after Isabelle’s allergy shots.
I offered ideas that Isabelle (who was sporting a fabulous tween attitude) found abhorrent. For instance, when I suggested Ari’s favorite playground, she said, “A playground? That’s boring!” while rolling her eyes.
“What do you suggest?” I asked.
“Hersheypark!” she retorted.
“Hersheypark was never on the table for today. You both have appointments in the mid-afternoon and I have work that needs to be done.”
“What else can we do?” she asked.
“We could go peach picking,” I offered.
“I don’t want to go peach picking,” Isabelle replied. (Ari, on the other hand, was tickled by that idea. I mean, who doesn’t appreciate a freshly harvested peach?!!? Tweens, that’s who!)
“Why don’t you come up with another idea.”
“Well, you know what I’m going to say,” Isabelle remarked.
{🙄}
Isabelle let out her frustration with an audible grunt.
“Do you have any other ideas?” she wanted to know.
“Yes, I do. We could go to Ken’s Gardens to plant new succulents to replace the ones that perished.”
“I don’t want to do that,” Isabelle said while Ari yelped with delight.
“Your brother would be happy at a playground, picking peaches, or going to the planting bar. You can make the final decision, but it has to be one of those three things.”
“How about the pool?” Isabelle offered.
“Make a choice from the three I gave you or Ari and I will make it for you.”
“Fine, we can plant succulents,” she replied petulantly.
In the end, she enjoyed creating a new succulent arrangement. But, ohmigosh, it’s time for her to head back to school!

