Summer Break, Day 13: Tae Kwon Do, Pacifier NO!

This was a day of great accomplishments for the older 2 inhabitants; a day which ended in near tragedy for the youngest.

On the eve of our 13th day of Summer Break, our Martial Arts residents were tested on their knowledge and ability to exhibit their learned arts.  The oldest female resident was awarded her Yellow Belt (belt #3)  and the male inhabitant was awarded his High White Belt (belt #2).  Their Co-Creator and I found it interesting that our creations were the only two in attendance at this particular Belt Test.  This did mean, of course that we were privilege to a lot of attention given to our younglings.  We were also awarded with exhibitions of the Red and Black Belt attendees' self-defense forms and weapons forms.  I found myself watching the faces of my young ones more than I watched the exhibitors.  The amazement in their eyes was contagious.  I could almost hear them thinking, "That could be ME, someday!"  I am proud of the hard work they have both given to this form of martial arts and hope to see many more years of their enjoyment to come.

The residents were awarded for their accomplishments with a late bedtime this evening.  However, the youngest rebelled--not quite a full mutiny, much more a pitiful pleading to be put to bed.  Needless to say, she went to sleep very well.  So well, indeed, that I was forced to waken her at midnight for a trip to the lavatory.  This is usually a nightly occurrence, one which I began with the oldest inhabitant until she would get up on her own volition and have continued on through numbers 2 and 3. It ensures a full bladder release into a toilet instead of onto a mattress.  However, resident #3 still uses a pacifier.  Upon placing her on the loo, she yawned.  Now, as I'm sure the reader is aware, when a yawn occurs, the mouth opens wide, thus tossing anything that a yawner would have in her mouth.  Yes, the pacifier went right into the water!  It was mayhem, utter mayhem!  Toilet paper could not be used immediately after evacuation; it would have gotten in the way.  Thus, I had to leave the bathroom--with the toddler sitting on the facilities--to find a utensil to fish out the binky.  Once the pacifier was retrieved, I was then charged with the task of sterilizing it.  Remember, it is past midnight and the little one was begging to be put to bed just a few hours prior...  She was nearly inconsolable!  I had to assure her that we could salvage her beloved binky.  She was not entirely convinced.  We microwaved the pacifier in a glass of water for 5 minutes, removed it with oven mitts and dumped the pacifier into a glass of ice water immediately.  Within 6 minutes of "The Incident", all was well with the world.  Mutiny was avoided this day, once again!