The Hornet's Nest

The moral of this story is consequences.

If you don't know Tavis, age 8, let me try to explain the enigma that God has created in him. He is a sweet, kind, doesn't want to hurt anyone's feelings, people-pleaser kind of person. He is great to make new people feel welcome and he was an angel to help take care of David over the summer. He is also scatter-brained (he already missed bringing home homework twice in the seven days we've been in school), very loud (or shall I say LOUD!) and loves to annoy. I'm not sure what the attraction of annoying his brothers or his sister is (maybe I should ask Uncle JR?), but he is quite good at it. He knows exactly what buttons to press (a gift from his father) and for some reason he usually goes too far.


Now, let me try to explain Capps, age 6 (Daegan is between them in the age line up). Capps is hard to explain but not because he is an enigma. I'd say he is fairly black-and-white. As you can probably tell from previous posts, he holds a special place in my heart. Don't judge me on that one. He has little quirks that make me smile. Up until he went to school last week, he has always been a little particular about what he colors with, but we've been prepping him to use crayons and markers instead of gel pens. He hates to be in chaos, so if too many people are around (like too many cousins) he will go off somewhere and do a puzzle or color. At dinner time he is always the last left at the table. He is very methodical about eating - one thing at a time and he can't move to the next item until the previous one is gone. And nothing on his plate can touch, that is a tragedy. Like I said, a little quirky.


So, the other evening, we could hear Capps hysterically yelling. We didn't check it out right away because we usually just wait and see if things need our attention or if they can work it out. Capps continues yelling with I. Told. You. I. Don't. Like. That. And then Tavis was crying.

Apparently, Tavis kept grabbing Capps from behind in a full body bear hug. Capps does not like to be confined. We have dealt with Tavis doing this before, informing him that it may be wrestling with others, but for Capps, it really freaks him out. Another thing you should know about Capps is that he is about to pass Daegan in size and he is solid as a rock, without one ounce of fat on him. Maybe he'll play football? The first time Tavis did this, Capps asked him not to, but when he did it again, Capps had had enough. Capps just got on top of Tavis and kept punching him in the chest telling him I. Don't. Like. That.


Jason felt it was necessary to deal with Tavis in this situation. Capps had asked nicely first and then he was just defending himself. Of course, in the end, he was upset that he hurt Tavis, but was more insulted that Tavis was so blantantly annoying him. Tavis openly admitted that he knew Capps didn't like it, but why did he do it? "I dunno?"

Jason explained to Tavis that when you constantly annoy someone like Capps, it is like poking a stick in a hornet's nest. You just keeping poking and eventually you are going to get stung. This particular evening, Tavis got stung.


So, will Tavis have learned his lesson? Probably not. Unfortunately, his next target will just be Daegan instead...