Appropriate Behavior

Last night Elie went to AWANAS with the neighbors and Jadon and I picked Bryce up from the airport. With a couple of hours to kill Bryce took J and I to supper at Logan's Roadhouse. For those of you who aren't familiar with these Roadhouse restaurants , one of the perks is that you get to eat peanuts and throw the shells on the ground while you're waiting for your seat and food.

Jadon was fascinated by this very taboo activity. He got a little look of glee in his eye with the first shell Bryce let him throw, and that was all it took. All throughout supper J was totally content to pick apart peanuts and throw them on the ground between bites of chicken strips, and comments such as, "we should do this at our house," and "what a messy house we came to, guys!"

After supper Bryce went to the bathroom and Jadon and I waited for him in the sitting area, still picking apart peanuts and tossing the shells. Unexpectedly, a look of deep concern crossed his little face and he looked me in the eyes. "Mommy," he asked, "is this appropriate? Is this appropriate behavior, mom?"

I had to laugh. After spending the whole evening engaging in this taboo activity, I could see his mind wrapping around the possibility of consequences. "When we come here, it is a perfectly appropriate behavior - but only here," I answered.

Delight returned to his face, and he said, "I love coming to this peanut house!"