Sometimes You Do Something Right

  We just came back from a birthday party that was a lot of fun until the last 10 minutes. Even before all the kids were done with their cake, J was asking if she could take a balloon home. And she wanted to play more. And she wanted to get a toy. And on and on. 

When it was finally time to leave, some other kid got the purple balloon J wanted. No other would do. E picked a purple balloon but it didn't have the right color ribbon. Cue the screaming and crying. I picked up an extra balloon as insurance, gathered up my one screaming child and one happy child, and went home. J threw a hissy fit the entire 20-minute ride home. It continued for another 10 minutes inside the house.

J eventually changed her screaming request to ask for "the last purple balloon", i.e. E's balloon. E, much to my surprise, said calmly, "J, you're screaming and crying. If you stop, you can have it." Lo and behold, J did stop and E did give her the balloon. I told E that I was so proud of her, she could have the other balloon all for herself. She was incredibly happy.

That was not how I was expecting this whole thing to end, but I'm very glad it did.