Laney's brush with the law

We had a really busy Saturday. I got up early to ride the tandem with Jensen. We wanted to go early because the wind was supposed to pick up later in the day. She had to go to Kung Fu about 8:40 so we only got 14.5 miles in. So, after they left I went out again solo for 11 miles. Finally, on this second ride I did a decent pace. I think it has a lot to do with it being warmer.

I changed the oil on both cars and then did the annual Spring Sprinkler ritual. I had three valves acting up. One needed to be tightened up, two others needed to be re-wired. There were four heads to replace. Two were just old and not sealing well. The other two had been run over by Ailsa (for the jillionth time) and were broken.

I took Laney and Jensen with me to Lowe's for company. Of course, after I got there I had to use the restroom. So, I left them by themselves for a couple of minutes.

When we returned home we found that Laney had picked up a small lock washer and a drywall type screw and secreted them in her shoe. I really didn't want to go back to the store again. I was hoping I was done for the night. But, it seemed the proper thing to do. Besides, Laney didn't seem too remorseful or concerned about it. (Lately, I've been concerned with repentance and President Daw impressed on me the importance of making sure people feel proper sorrow and remorse and that they seek and obtain a sense of forgiveness.) I told her that if a big person like me had taken something bigger, the store would probably call the police and I might go to jail. That got her attention. She said, "I don't want to go to jail. I don't like it when I go to jail."

All the way back to the store she kept repeating and whimpering that she didn't want to go to jail. I didn't want to tell her she wouldn't go to jail. So, I kept saying "I don't think you will go to jail." Finally, I told her if she had to go to jail that Mommy and Jensen and I would go with her. (Ailsa was at work.) That calmed her down a little.

We walked up to the Service Counter and there was a cute young girl working there. I told her we had been in earlier and that my little daughter had picked up some things and taken them home. She responded with an "Oh" and covered her mouth like she was going to be emotional. She clearly understood that this was a teaching moment. I asked her if it was okay if Laney returned the items and apologized. That was fine. Laney placed her bounty on the counter, said a meek "I'm sorry" and we went on our way. I think Laney learned her lesson and she certainly felt better, especially knowing she wasn't going to jail.

Later, when we arrived home I pulled a washer and a lovely golden screw out of my odd and ends box and gave them to her.