Tap Your Troubles Away

Sydney and Dylan have been grounded for a week.  Last Saturday, we went to the Oktoberfest at a local church.  These things are EXPENSIVE, and each ride cost the kids 3-6 tickets. After three rides, and some good times with our friends, The Anderson Family, the faces looked like this:

 Mia and Dylan on a ride

The problem came when it was time to leave.  Apparently, dropping $80 on the two little Castigs wasn't enough for them, and the temper tantrum from both that ensued was first-world ridiculous. So off to bed they went.

The next day brought our weekly cleaning and chores.  As Thomas washed dogs in the front yard, and I was vacuuming downstairs, I hear the screams from above. I dash upstairs to find true fisticuffs, and I proceeded to fisticuff both of them on the rear end and chuck them in their rooms.

The first Castiglione grounding commenced.

One week.  No iPods. No TV. No computer. No fun.  Except for practices (that I already paid for), school, and dinner, there was NO leaving their rooms. 

Two things came from this:

This was Dylan letting us know that he was a tad on the angry/frustrated side. (It says: No one allowed but me.  In first grade language)

The other things that came from this experience was this:

Don't worry, it was for Thomas and me.  Although don't think that drugging them so they won't beat up on each other didn't pass through my mind.

Being grounded during the week really isn't a big deal.  We're such a busy family that by the time we're home, dinnered, and homeworked, it's time for bed anyway.  It's the weekends that are harder, although everyone in the house, except for me (husband, two kids, three dogs, and a cat) is sleeping and I am actually enjoying the peace and quiet.

Here's where the kids know how to play Mom.  Both kids auditioned for the school musical this week, and so they had to practice the song and dance they were taught to use in their callbacks.  So, naturally, a three hour coaching session occurred in the living room, thereby preventing them from having to be bored in their rooms. But come on, everyone needs to practice, right?

I guess I'm just a sucker. 

I now understand when my parents would say, "This hurts me more than it hurts you!" I'm ready for the grounding to be over!