the (little) people's court

The game du jour for my kids....Trials.

They take turns being the judge and the accused and (this gives me a chuckle) the storytellers, which is what they call lawyers. Joe and I get to play too. Today, Teresa put me on trial because I get mad and yell when brushing her hair sometimes. The god awful fit she pulls which is what sets me off, seemed to somehow slip her mind but I guess I can always put her on trial for that.

The accused sits on the couch and the judge starts the trial. He/She starts things off by asking the accused if they plead guilty or innocent. After the plea is entered the storytellers get to present evidence. In my defense, Katie told of all the good I do; reading stories, cooking foods and helping them. Sam piped up with the evidence of food cooked that he does not like and many nights we skip our chapter book because it's too late. Funny how not a shred of evidence was remotely connected to the charge, but fitting in it's own way. Each storyteller weighs in with whether they believe the accused is guilty or innocent and then the judge ponders all the evidence and pronounces a verdict. Punctuating it with a solid thump from a toy hammer. I have no idea how and where they learned so much about our justice system. I can see how the whole idea would appeal to a child though. Think of it...the power, the opportunities to air complaints and grievances, the toy hammer, and the giggles when Daddy is sentenced to "NO FOOTBALL! and NO SNORING!"

And, just in case you're wondering...I was cleared of all charges.