Mike arrived at our daycare to pick the kids up on Monday to find Matthew sitting in time out, head down on the desk.  His hair was all wet and slicked back.  He then noticed Matthew's best friend, Drew, in the same position, head down, wet, slicked back hair. 

Matthew rarely ever gets in trouble, he's just one of those good kids that would rather please adults than cause a ruckus.  And when he does get scolded, Mister Sensitive usually spends the next hour crying or sulking. He's not good at "taking his punishment", he gets too upset. 

I asked the daycare director yesterday what had happened and she laughed, recalling the story of two bored, antsy boys who were just trying her patience at every turn.  First they were throwing balls at each other and then crawling under the table. When they asked to go get a drink of water she was happy to get a moments peace and let them go into the next room to the drinking fountain. Ten minutes later she realized they were still in there and when she turned the corner she saw the water fight that had ensued.  So, off to time out they went, wet heads and all.

I asked Matthew about what happened, thinking he'd do the usual drop of his eyes and head and mumble about how he got in trouble, then start quietly crying..but this time he didn't. He told me the story in full detail, with a big smile on his face. I had my camera handy

 

I couldn't help but laugh and think, he totally knew the consequences and didn't care.  Sometimes we all make choices we know are wrong but are happy to live with the punishment because it's just so worth it (ummm, that brownie yesterday comes to mind).

That water fight was worth every second of time out.