Warning Eyes

Lisa commented about The Look her dad used to give and it reminded me of a conversation the boys and I had on the way up to Rochester for their hockey tournament last weekend...

The kids had needed a few too many reminders about manners during our fast food lunch stop for my comfort, especially when facing a weekend full of public meals. "Boys," I began, "We're going to have a lot of meals with your teammates and their parents and your coaches this weekend. I'd really like to be proud of your manners. You know, not have to remind you about them all the time?"

Both kids nodded solemnly, then Ross piped up, "And if we don't have good manners, you can always give us the Warning Eyes." He widened his eyes, furrowed his brow and glared at me. When I cowed a little in response, he arched one brow and sat back on a diagonal, still glaring. Clearly, I was Warned.

"Nicely done! You must see those eyes a lot," I said with a giggle.

"YOU do them, but so does my teacher at school. She can give them to the whole class at once!" He paused a moment, in awe. "And if I still don't use my napkin or keep talking with my mouth full or whatever, you can give me the You're Done Now Eyes and I'll go look for some stairs for time-out." Lars nodded in agreement and they both returned to their lunches, manners intact.