Liza Howard. Ultrarunning Mom.

My friend and I shared a babysitter last week while we went on a long run.  When we got back to his house, we found Asa sitting naked on the couch watching Sponge Bob.  Apparently Asa had decided he didn’t want to get back in his clothes after he’d gone swimming in their pool.  It was both hilarious to see him sitting there wrapped in a blanket totally oblivious to social mores that generally keep people clothed on their friends’ couches in the middle of the day– and entirely embarrassing.  I couldn’t stop myself from saying things like, “He does wear clothes during the day at home.”  The couch was very nice looking and while Asa’s naked bottom is entirely small and cute and he has been potty trained forever now, I got him in underwear and pants in an eye blink.  It also left me thinking about how I should prep babysitters more.  ”So if he tells you he doesn’t want to do X, and you want him to do X, remember you’re “The Decider.”  (Not the 4 year-old.)

My mother in-law fell prey to Asa’s wiles last night when she was watching him so I could do some coaching.  (Thanks Kate!)  He told her he’d sleep with her in the guest bed– and then kept her up all night.  I brought her some flowers and told her about her “Decider” roll.  It’s not like he doesn’t hear “no” a million times every day (in a respectful, unconditional love kind of way, of course.)  Softies!  I’m surrounded by softies.

OK, I’ll be running 10 miles downhill on the treadmill tonight if you need me.  :)