No running

Steve witnessed a near catastrophe this past weekend when he and Emma were home by themselves. Emma was running around like a little tornado after dinner- running from the family room, through the kitchen area to the back room- from carpet to Pergo to carpet. After clearing the last boundary area Emma tripped on somethig (most likely the edge of the carpet) and went sailing across the floor, landing on her stomach just inches from the edge of the wooden end table. Of course there were tears but no real injuries. Much unlike what would have happened if her little face had smashed into the table. Let's not go there!

So Steve and I decided that we should implement a no-running-in-the-house rule. So we have brought it up to Emma just a few times and for the moment she seems satisfied that running raises the risk of tripping and falling. And she doesn't run in the house.

So the other day when Emma woke up from her nap she didn't want to come downstairs. I had the monitor on so I told her that was fine. I locked the gate and went downstairs to fix dinner. I heard her reading to herself and talking to Sleepy Joe and Baby Doll. Then I heard her voice in stereo saying "Mommy" from the top of the stairs and through the monitor. I walked over to the bottom of the stairs and there she was standing at the top issuing me a directive.
"Mommy, hurry up with dinner so you can come upstairs."
"OK, Emma. Should Mommy go quickly? Should Mommy run, run, run?"
"yes!"
As I began to run away she yelled down the stairs at me, "Mommy, no running in the house!"