Garbage Picker

That's what Emily had to do as punishment--crawl into a large, outdoor garbage can that stunk of garbage (of course).

"Why?" you ask. She was picking on Maggie. "So, why the garbage can???"

Well, I was sitting on the deck listening to Maggie yell, "Give it back, Emily! Give it back!" This went on for 5 minutes. Eventually, Maggie came around the back to tell on her. "Emily threw my marker cap in the garbage." Even though I get annoyed when she tattles, she has made improvements. Usually, she would just hit Emily.

So, I went out front to find Emily tilting the garbage can down. There, at the very bottom of the empty, stinky can, was the marker cap. I lowered the can all the way to the ground and said, "Get it."

"What?"

"Get it. You threw it in there, now you have to get it."

"It stinks."

"Yep. Now get the cap out."

She very reluctantly crawled into the can and got the cap. She tried to yell at Maggie for her tortue, but I had to remind her that this was her doing and hence her fault. You would think she would learn from her mistakes, but no. Ten minutes later I'm sitting in my same spot on the deck when I hear Maggie screech, "Give me my shoe back!!!!!!!!"

As I rounded the corner, there sat Maggie, in the ditch, across the street, crying because Emily kicked her shoe. Playtime ended right there. Maggie was sent home and my own little bully had to come inside.

I've said it before, but I'll say it again: Emily is just like her dad. As soon as she senses a weakness in her opponent (and everyone is an opponent to her), she goes in for the kill. Her spidey senses must tingle every time she is around Maggie!