Aiden and I had a pretty bad morning.  

There was grumpiness; the kind that follows a sleepless night which follows 4-month shots. There was a four-year-old stalemate; I threatened, he tried to call my bluff, a timeout ensued.  What was the problem you ask?  Nothing they couldn't have fixed 50 years ago with a bar of Lux.  Aiden's been a little mouthy of late.  And it wasn't the "fat chance," followed by a sinister little smile that says, you wouldn't dare give me a timeout for "joking" with you, would you? 

No. 

It was a blatent disregard for that thing called mom and any comment, request, or threat that came out of her mouth.  It was "no," followed by "NO," and topped with "NOOOO!"  After refusing to go to timeout, I threatened to take away his toys?  no.  His shirt.  His cool new robot shirt that he picked out for school.  The one he was wearing.  A bit over the top, but my little curve ball had the desired effect.

Discussion, apologies, hugs, school... late. 

I didn't realize the effect of our morning until I tried to get Aiden out of the car for school. 

He didn't want to go, "school is scary." 

Cue flashbacks.

I apologized a few more times, coaxed him in the doors using Nora's carseat as a cattle-prod.  He was still hesitant.  Outside his classroom we had a little pow-wow, on the floor, legs crossed.  I pulled his gloves off, unzipped his coat all while reminding him of the fun things just two feet away in his classroom. 

no dice.

Mia walks out to put her picture in her locker, and in her wee high-pitched voice, "hi aiden."

Next Hana, even higher, "hi aiden."

I look back at him, and he's smiling.  "'I was just teasing, mom." He assures me as he follows them back into the classroom. 

Problem solved, just like that.