A Failed Mission

For the last several months... probably 6 or more, Maggie, Kate, and Sarah have only used their pacifiers when they are in bed. Recently when the 2 year molars were coming through they got into the habit of asking for them more often. In my weakness, I sometimes gave in. I discovered yesterday that two out of three of their pacis were becoming worn out and somewhat dangerous. Hence the mission.

After naps and a stop by the church playground so that we could see Election Day at our precinct and Mimi in action there, we stopped by the dairy barn to give the baby calves all our pacis. We were down, so I thought, to the last 3 in the house and everyone had a favorite. Sarah's was the "purple fower", Kate's was blue, and Maggie's was orange and green. If any of them was ever given the wrong one they would tell you in a hurry, "Eww, that's not my fa-brit".

They each handed their own paci over willingly. I had hoped to take just one last picture with them all together with their beloved pacis, but before I knew it Sarah had thrown hers in.

Maggie and Kate were right behind her, each giving theirs a good toss into the pen.

The cows and random stray chicken looked at them as if to say, "Now, just what are we supposed to do with these things?!?"

Satisfied that our mission was complete, the girls all turned and prepared to leave.

Maggie was the only one to question her decision right in the moment. She hung back after everyone else had turned to go and said she wanted her paci back, but Ella and I convinced her that the baby calves needed it....reeeeeal bad.

Then when bedtime was upon us they all started asking for their fa-brit pacis. I explained that we had given those to the calves... don't you remember, girls?

But after quite a bit of pitiful crying over lost pacis, I remembered a secret stash that I had and decided that if there were enough pacis there to go around I would just tackle this project another day. Very selfish and weak, I suppose, but I was assuming I'd be up with Ella on and off all night with her cough (like last night) and didn't want to add random crying over lost pacis to the evenings' festivities.

We'll get 'em next time... and I'll be sure to have the girls help me search the house for any strays or hidden stashes before we head back to the barn so that they won't t think they can just cry and make new ones appear. For now there are three little gals happily sleeping with pacis somewhere near their heads and one who is already starting to cough so I best go to bed myself!