n
-r
)
adj. or·ner·i·er, or·ner·i·est
Mean-spirited, disagreeable, and contrary in disposition; cantankerous.
Corey: "How was school today, Cooper?"
Cooper: "Well, I didn't lick anybody today, so, it was good."
((I proceed to hang my head with a laugh that only a mother knows))
My children are ornery. Well, they are at the moment. They fight, they fib, they antagonize, they push, they tattle, they hide things, they hit.....All bad things that siblings do, they do. But, in the end, when all is said and done, and they're getting in trouble, they feel pretty sorry for their actions. I still use the threat that "Santa knows all you've done. Just remember that." It seems to work, for the most part. I mean, what kid dares to test Santa's naughty list? I'll give you a hint: Their names begin with M, R and C.
On Friday night Corey got a call from his Sister, Kim, who is a teacher at Cooper's school. She talked about this, and that and after a couple of minutes asked Corey "Did Cooper tell you what happened at school today?" He hadn't, so, she proceeded to tell us. Apparently while in class doing art, Cooper and his friend David (pronounced Dah-veed) got up from his chair to get something out of his cubby. While up, Cooper decided to smear a glue stick all over his chair. Fortunately for David, the teacher saw this, and was able to stop him from sitting in a mucky pile of glue. She asked Cooper why he did it and he replied "I just wanted him to be stuck by me forever!!" All in good nature, of course, but a slight orneriness in the mix. Still, it was a major infraction at school, and he was sent to the principals office. Unbeknownst to him, his Aunt Kim was the interim principal that day. He walked in, head hung, crocodile tears flowing, and faced his Auntie, who, had to maintain her stance at that moment, while discussing the importance of not acting so stinky. She said it took everything in her power to not laugh, because, as his aunt, she sees the humor and cleverness in his actions....I imagine, he reminded her quite a bit of her own little brother. :)
So, just to clarify the first part of this blog, yes, Cooper licked someone. We don't know why, and neither does he. But, he was warned to keep his tongue to himself. He's spent a few recesses on "detention" and has been in the "thinking chair" more times than he can remember. We're not really sure why his orneriness has decided to show itself now, especially since he's entered Kindergarten and needs to show that he can follow rules. I don't encourage his actions, and I fear that in this streak he's on, I'll get another call in the future.....although, I HOPE not!!
So, Kindergarten has brought my son out of his sweet little boy shell. His first two days of school were filled with "cougar coupons," awards for good behavior. They are being replaced with "pink slips" and trips to the principals office. I'm not quite sure what to do just yet, because, every time we question his behavior, he's got a perfectly good answer. A clever answer. It's almost like talking to Corey, sometimes. Two clever, intelligent, creative males in this house who are perfectionists? I think my game plan is about to change!
