The Dungeon

In our new house we have a 1/2 bath right off the kitchen. We call it the "Dungeon" because it is small, dark red (a color choice made by the previous owners), and has very low lighting with no windows.  Anyways, the dungeon is actually growing on me. I have always thought that bathrooms right off the kitchen are gross since well, they are "in your kitchen."  In fact, they are actually very practical rooms--especially when you are potty training.  This brings me to my next point and moms of boys know what I am talking about.  A few weeks ago, Clinton said "Mommy! I went potty!" Upon inspection, I found crystal clear toilet water and with a puzzled expression on my face I began to ask Clinton if he was telling the truth...until I felt a warm sensation permeating my fluffy white socks. Soaked. For the next 20 minutes or so, I cleaned up a tall glass amount of what used to be apple juice off the floor, walls, and baseboards. The toilet remained untouched...a glorious white throne in a dark dreary dungeon. Heath's response, "You shouldn't give a water gun to someone who doesn't know how to aim."  Excuse me, little boys know how to aim. Read on...

Just a few days later after the pee on the floor incident, I glanced around the room and did not see Clinton. Except for the incessant chatter of 9 month old Hunter, things were quiet...too quiet. I thought to myself, maybe Clinton is sitting quietly in a corner reading a book, or maybe he rushed upstairs to clean his room.  Pipe dreams of a mother of 2 young boys. Then I heard a shuffle and then a tinkling noise coming from the direction of the dungeon bathroom. Hurray! I secretly whispered to myself, he took himself to the bathroom. I began marching proudly over to congratulate my son. But he wasn't there. He was next door to the bathroom, in our walk-in-pantry....peeing in a giant stockpot. Boys know how to aim.  They also know how to tease their baby brother and get away with it.

As you can see from the picture, there is now a child-lock on the outside of the pantry, a child lock to the door to the garage (for safety) and soon to be no lock on the bathroom door. The following is a true story. Clinton thought it would be a brilliant idea to entice Hunter into the dungeon.  After Hunter was safely inside, Clinton locked the door from the inside, turned off the lights, jumped out, and shut the door...leaving Hunter to fend for himself.  As soon as I heard the door close I ran over.  The crying began which immediately turned to screaming. I scrambled for a tiny pin-like object to pick the lock.  Hunter's cries made me frantic. Clinton pretended to "help." After a minute or so, Hunter was rescued.  I was very upset with Clinton that he would do such a thing.  I knew this was a teaching moment so I calmly explained to him that his brother was very scared because it was so dark and that babies can't open doors.  I told him to never ever do that again. Clinton looked up at me and sincerely apologized. His exact words were; "I'm so sorry Mommy.... Next time, I'll leave the light on."


 I love my boys. Let the rollercoaster of daily emotions continue on this adventure of parenthood. Bring it on.

By the way, those previous owners knew what they were doing. They also had two boys. I think the dark paint color and super low lighting was by design...it hides "flaws."