Today we developed a code word for the whining that has become more and more pervasive (mostly from the female contingent of the kids...), PUMPERNICKEL.

I was really searching for a way to cut off the whining and make them aware of it without resorting to whining at them myself to "QUIT it - Geez! Why are you always WHINING!?!?! (and then I crash the car into a curb)". Heh - not that I've ever done or said anything like that; I am the epitome of cool and calm mom. I fully believe that whining has developed evolutionarily as the most annoying method of communicating wants - and getting attention because parents are naturally inclined to to whatever it takes to make it stop make it stop NOW! So, ahem, in a desperate attempt for sane car rides (and life), I plucked pumpernickel as a silly word out of the air that would hopefully stun the whine right out of 'em.

So, as the pumpernickel game goes, when any of us catches the other whining (me included), we have to call them out on the pumpernickel. Then we get a point and the other person loses a point. Faux pumpernickels lose a point for the caller. The final winner of the points at the end of the night is determined at the end of the night. Hmmm- not sure what the prize will be, but the game was enough to shake things up for now. I am relieved to trade scolding for giggles, even if it lasts just a few days. Wee Man even got into the spirit.

They even ate broccoli today and played upstairs by themselves. I am going to count the reading of a chapter of the Our Generation Girl book as playtime... good day!