See ya . . .

Last night was the first time in a while that Dustin has chosen to run out the front door.  He was mad at me because we were cleaning up the house and I asked McCartney to hold the trash bag.  Yep, mad for not getting to hold the trash bag. He shouted, "That's it! I'm out of here." and walked to the front door.  I chose not to chase him.  I knew it was quite dark and cold and I knew that he wouldn't stay out there too long.  He stopped at the door and turned around and said, "Mom, did you hear me? I'm outta here and I'm not coming back!"  I simply kept working on my project, called his bluff and said, "Bye dear."  He called my bluff and took off out the door.

The littles were cleaning and they always freak out when Dustin runs.  I told them to be calm and try to ignore it.  About 4 minutes later we heard him tromping onto the porch.  I knew he was making noises so I would hear him and come chase him.  I wasn't going out there!  It is cold! I quietly crept to the door but he heard me coming and ran out to the sidewalk.  He was standing there waiting for me to come out while I snuck a peek out the peep hole.  He was getting rustrated that I wouldn't come out and then he walked away.  We did this "dance" for about 25 minutes.  Then the doorbell rang. 

I answered the door and it was Dustin.  I said, "Well hi!  Can I help you?" He said he was cold and asked if he oculd come inside.  I said, "This is your house so you are welcome to come in."  We carried on like nothing ever happened.  He was not amused.

I was, however, quite amused.

Will it work next time?  Who knows.  But it was quite funny to see the look on his face when he realized I was not going to chase him.  Later he asked me if I would miss him if he left, and of course I said I would.  He kept trying to get me to talk about him leaving and I was very nonchalant about it.  Perhaps if he sees that it doesn't poke my buttons it will stop this behavior . . . at least until spring.