Tape

Do you know how much scotch tape is in one roll?  I do.  There is enough tape to go around a door nob about 40 times, then zigzag a three year old's room circling around trains, trucks, and other toys about 50 times, and finally there is just enough left to wrap around your baby sister four times.  I learned this today with the help of Sam.  I also learned that a certain nine-month old does not enjoy being "tapeted" up.

I learn a lot from Sam.  He teaches me almost daily that it is always better to have fun than to follow the rules.  Rules like "don't jump on the couch" are silly anyway.  It does not matter that said couch is fairly knew.  It does not matter that you have fallen off and given yourself a black eye already.  It does not matter that you have been warned, threatened, and maybe even spanked because of jumping on the couch.  The potential for fun can trump any rule no matter what!  

I like rules.  I like to make them and usually I like to follow them.  They bring order to the world.  Lately though I have been thinking that maybe this three year old knows more than I do on this subject.  The joy on his face when I caught him with that tape in his hands was pure.  He knows better than to take things from our supply closet.  He knows that Genevieve is not supposed to be in his room.  Maybe I never stated the house rule that we are not allowed to tape up our belongings or our sister but I think he knew better on that one too.  However, I was immediately stopped by that look on his face.  He was willing to suffer the consequences because for those few minutes the benefits were amazing, wonderful, and just plain fun.  I hope I remember this look.  I hope every once in a while I step off the straight and narrow path and just have fun.  I hope you do to.