If you have ever had a dog, you know that obedience training is an ongoing endeavor.  You can teach your dog to sit, lay down and stay but if you aren't consistent, it all goes out the window.  The only problem with the ongoing training is that dogs are prone to take shortcuts.  If they think you are going to say "down" right after you say "sit," they tend to slide through "sit" and go "down" instead.  Of course I think it is intentional but Derek swears that Zinni is just confused when he does that. 

This is not uncommon in parenting as well.  We are working on cleanliness routine here at Chateau Cookie and we have hit a couple of rough spots. The Boy knows that he has to have his face and hands washed after he eats.  He does a good job of wiping his hands but his facial cleaning is hit or miss. Apparently his father also cleans his feet after meals because lately I have been getting a foot in the face if I offer help.  We have also have been working on our bathroom issues as well.  Since we have started potty training, we have an elaborate routine that The Boy seems to remember.  Going the potty, wiping, washing the hands, drying them off and then a Skittle for celebration. 

There's humor here.  I promise. 

This morning The Boy told me that he wanted to go to the bathroom so off we ran.  When he was done, he grabbed a square of toilet paper and wiped himself nicely.  And then, before I could react, he wiped his mouth.

He wiped his mouth with his used toilet paper.  Just writing it makes me a little ill.  What are you supposed to do?  I told him you don't wash your face in the bathroom.  I know, I know.  Misinformation is never good but if we have to wash his face OUTSIDE the bathroom for the next 6 months until there is some understanding, I think it's a small price to pay.

If it makes you feel any better, there wasn't really anything on the toilet paper.  Really.  That's what I am telling myself.