The difference between "chances" and "tellings"...

For the last 2 weeks or so I have been really sick with bronchitis and have not "been up to" dealing with a lot of arguing and noise from the kiddos. So yesterday when I picked the boys up from school we had THE WARNING while I had them all confined in the car.

ME: There will be NO fighting... there will be NO whining... there will be NO pushing or shoving or poking... there will be NO disagreeing of any kind... DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?

(3 nods are counted and one blank stare from Levi...)

But before we are even in the driveway Aaron and Caleb are arguing about who is taking up more room in the backseat.

ME: Boys in the Back row- did you hear me? I JUST said that there will be no arguing- Knock it off, okay?

(I hear a muffled "yes, Mom..." but I'm sure someone's eyes are rolling...I could just feel it)

We pull in the driveway and there is another argument about who gets to get out of the car first.

ME: Are you kidding me? It doesn't matter who gets out first- just get out and quit arguing over things that don't matter...

We are scarcely in the house when Caleb heads up to his room to play. On the stairs he pushes Kellie back, yells "NO!" to her and locks her out of his room because he doesn't want to play with her.

At this point I am fed up. I mean the kid has had fair warning and  I am in no mood to deal with the nonsense.

ME: CALEB get down here and get in time out...

CALEB:NO!

ME:YES.

CALEB: But you didn't give me any chances!

ME: Yes, I did Caleb. I told you THREE times before we even got out of the car that there would be no arguing and fighting this afternoon. You had your chances.

CALEB: I did not! THOSE weren't chances- those were TELLINGS! AHHHHH!

ME:Just get in time out Caleb...

Even today, after I've stifled my laughter and Caleb's time out has long since expired I have to ask myself... IS THERE ANY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN "A TELLING" and "A CHANCE"?

(sigh... he's only 6- I've got at least 14 more years of his crazy logic to live with at home...it's a good thing he can make me smile, I guess) :)