Things are always better the next day.  After some food, some chocolate and some sleep. 

I’m okay today.  Still irritated but less so.  I got lots of kisses and sweetness this morning.

And I probed things a bit further with Zander.  Yesterday, I asked Zander about the balloon incident *right* after the birthday boy started crying.  He said that he “popped him” which I took to mean that he punched him.  He has hit with his fists before (usually Zevan), and gotten severely reprimanded for it.  He never does it without some kind of provocation, and he did say that the birthday boy tried to hit him with the balloon, but Zander got hit with his elbow instead.  So Zander “popped” him.  We had a talk about how we never hit friends and that the boy didn’t hit him on purpose – an accident.  He had a time out. 

Zander had to apologize 3 times (because the first time the boy was crying so hard, I think he didn’t hear it.  The second time he was clinging on to his dad, so the final time was because he was finally standing on his own.

This morning, I asked Zander what happened.   He said again, “I popped him.” 

“With what,?” I asked.

 ”With the pop balloon.   In the chest.” 

So it wasn’t as bad as I thought.  And the dad later mentioned to me that his son is very sensitive. 

Here’s my biggest advice about parenting two children: You will lose your patience and your temper.  As long as this happens less frequently than patient, loving discipline, your kids will be okay.  I *always* apologize for losing my temper, but explain exactly why I did.  I never let them off the hook for their behavior, but I will take responsibility for my own. 

Zander and Zevan still tell me that they love me, and come to me when they need comfort, so I must be doing *SOMETHING* right.