I'm ruining his life...

Thursdays are usually pretty fun days for us. We have gymnastics in the mornings so it is a light day for school. After gymnastics, we go with our very dear friends to therapy... also called, lunch. Usually at Chickfila. Then we come home for a short rest and head back out the door to Taekwondo. Lots of activities, lots of fun.

Not so today.

School did not go so smoothly this morning. Zman had a bit of nighttime cold medicine hangover and was just in a fog. Every new concept went in one ear and out the other. He is also a natural at spelling and enjoys the fact that it comes so easy for him. Test today... not so great. Blow to the ego. Repeating the same directions and seeing a glazed over stare makes for a cranky mom. Not a good combination.

On the way to gymnastics (less than 10 minutes drive) the kids asked to watch a movie. With the morning we had had in school and the fact that I despise that my kids desire to be electronically entertained... um... always, I said "No. We can talk to each other (what a concept) or we can sit quietly. Quiet is good." Quiet it was.

Gymnastics was fine but Daddy's truck was in the shop and he needed to run some errands for work so we had to head home right after gym. That's right. Therapy session canceled. All three of us.... crushed.

Next, Taekwondo. Today was a belt test. Also referred to a promotion. Again, also referenced as a graduation... from one belt color to the next with the ultimate goal being black belt. This is Zman's 3rd graduation and he is well aware of the procedure. He started asking as we left the last belt test when the next belt test would be... and once a week since then have I heard this question. (That was 9 weeks ago.) The instructor threw us a curve ball LAST WEEK. No one would be getting new belts. All students would still need to test/promote/graduate (to what, I'm not sure since they will be working on the exact same material they have been working on for the last 9 weeks...) but no belts would be given. A stripe of electrical tape around their belt is what they get. I tried multiple times to prepare Zman for what I knew was going to be a HUGE disappointment. I thought he understood. Until we were leaving. He began crying in the car.

"What's wrong?"

"I had a belt test and I didn't get a new belt."

"I know, baby. We talked about this. Remember?"

"Yes, but I thought I was at least going to get a stripe!"

"Well, you did earn your stripe. You will probably get it at your next class."

"But Mom, I worked so hard."

"I know baby. And you did a great job!"

A few minutes later...

"What's wrong Zman? Why are you so upset?"

"Mom, first I wanted to watch a movie and you said no. Then I had my belt test and didn't get my belt or even a stripe. I wanted to play with my friends afterward and you said no. I wanted extra game time and you said no. It's like you are ruining my life! This was the best life ever and you are ruining it!"

For the record, we did stay after the test/promotion/graduation for him to play. He chose to watch another child play electronic games on his laptop. Poor choice of time management... not my fault!

So, it's been a bit of a bummer day. I'm ruining my 8 year olds life and things are not looking so good for the rest of the evening. The dish I am making is a new one (always causes alarm in our house) and it is a rice dish... NOT Zman's thing. I'm hoping it is drowned in enough cheese that he'll not notice the rice so much.

I pray tomorrow will be better for my Zman. I mean, surely I can't be so horrible as to ruin his life two days in a row!!! Right?!?!?! {{sigh...............................}}