Chewing gum protocol.

I remember when Taylor was just at that point where dresses no longer swung to her knees, but brushed closer to her ankles. It was the point when her hair finally grew and she all of a sudden seemed like a little lady instead of this child. She always had opinions, and she always wanted gum. I was surprised when my sister happily handed it over one day in the car. Now, I know why it was such a reflex. Chewing Gum to a 4 year old (and almost 4 year old) is an instant silencer. Not that either Amy and I would *ever* want to discourage our kids from talking, but sometimes a little peace and quiet is okay. My experiences with chewing gum and Turner have been relatively positive as we've been on airplanes and in grown-up meetings (the two places I reserve for gum use because I don't want to abuse this golden egg). The last time he had gum was two weeks ago when we went to the Clinic. I didn't notice any slips ups with it. We got home, in the tub (hours after the gum was gone), and found watermelon, sugarless Trident stuck in Turner's hair. After a quick haircut and lots of tears, Turner agreed that chewing gum should stay in the mouth.

Today, I get him from Andy's and we go get a donut (and, no, one donut is never enough), drop by the grocery for milk, and we head home. After his bath and dinner, Turner asks for some gum for dessert. He opens the package and digs out a piece. We talk about how it looks different than the Trident (this is Wrigley's). He pops it into his mouth. I settle him at the table with scissors and cutting material and glue. I clean up the kitchen. He is talking a lot about this and that while I wash the dishes. Just as I am sitting down at the table he says, "My gum turned red after I chewed it."

"Red. Really?"

"Yeah."

"How do you know that?"

"I saw it." He pauses. The he quickly says, "What? Don't you have eyes in your mouth too Mom? You know. The kind that lets you see what color stuff is?"

"No. I don't. Do you remember our agreement that you should keep your gum in your mouth?"

"Of course Mom. I told you that I have something inside my mouth. You just don't have it. Maybe it's cuz you're a girl, but I can see the colors of things in my mouth."