Election Day!

Last week when I was cuddling with Eden before bed, she told me about the mock election they had held at school that day. They were given the presidential candidates and each got a turn at the computer to cast their vote. She told me she voted for “the boy and the girl one.”

Eden had forgotten their names, but asked me if her vote would really pick our president. When I told her she had to be at least eighteen to really vote, she was disappointed. In our discussion that followed, I realized that she was much more interested in the political process than I thought given her boy/girl response. She wanted to know what the candidates names were, their differences, and how they could be so different and both believe they could make our country a better place to live. I was really surprised as she kept firing questions. I don’t know if the curiosity was spurred by not wanting to go to bed or genuine interest, but either way I was impressed.

When she had heard enough, I told her I was proud of her interest in the world going on around her. She responded that she really wished she could vote now that she knew more.

I recently read an article in Family Fun magazine (love that!) about a mom who held an election day at their house to help her kids better understand the process. I presented the idea to Eden and her eyes lit up. She started listing things we could vote for and wanted to run for president of our house for a day. After a week in the making, election day at the Vest house finally arrived.

Carter was also game for running for president. This morning we had a mock presidential debate. I was laughing my head off when Carter came down in his slippery shorts and a t-shirt with a clip on tie carrying a Book of Mormon. Eden was panicked she couldn’t find her glasses like Sarah Palin’s to go with her outfit, but I think Sarah would have approved of her chosen professional attire.

I so wish our video camera wasn’t fried. It was so cute to listen to them get into our questions.

As president, what is the first thing you will do?

Eden: “Well, making sure everyone goes to High School Musical 3 doesn’t

count, does it? No, I would go out and help people. I want to get to know people.”

Carter: “I would spank Landon’s bum if he got candy without asking, and then I would let everyone vote first. Then I would be a missionary and teach everyone about Jesus.”

As president of our house, what rules would you have?

Eden: “You have to ask before you get something out, be nice to each other, and share.”

Carter: “You shouldn’t steal money, and you can’t take your pants off at other people’s houses.”

Why do you think we should vote for YOU for president?

Eden: “Because I think I would make a good president. I would help people be good and I would be a good example. I really want to see what it would be like to be in charge for a day.”

Carter: “I am cool. It would be fun.”

Here is the ballot that Eden and I created to use after their debate:

The results are in! With a 3- 2 vote, Eden was elected president of our house for the day. Here are the rest of the votes that she tallied:

Breakfast- hootenannies and smoothie, Chore- put clothes away, Craft- beads, Exercise- jump on the trampoline, Lunch- pizza and oranges, Activity- High School Musical 3

Dinner- taco salad, Dessert- Ice cream, Bedtime story- When I Serve a Mission, Song- I am a Child of God, Bedtime prayer- Carter

As president, Eden was in charge of making all these things happen. She did a great job creating an order and giving the boys the incentive of going to the movie when we got our other things done. She got a little frustrated when the boys wouldn’t listen to her, and I found it humorous how often she played the “But I am president!” card. It was a fun day for the kids and I enjoyed NOT being president of our house for the day.

Oh, and I have 2 things to add to my list of confessions posted yesterday.

6. I really liked High School Musical 3, despite all it’s expected cheesiness.

7. For some reason Landon has some infatuation lately with touching my 'girls'. This has really bothered me, and I wonder if it is just me or he’s copping a feel on any lady he can. Tonight I fear I learned the answer.

I had a hard time getting Landon to come out of the restroom at the theatre. He was distraught that there were no paper towels (only air dryers) to dry his independently washed hands. He started to cry, and a nice lady trying to distract him told him to wipe his hands on her. I thought she was joking, but apparently Landon didn’t. He ran to her and wiped his hands up and down her legs. No words...I couldn’t make my tongue form a syllable. I was just caught off guard and it was over before I could stop him from feeling up a stranger. It’s just a good thing he’s not very tall. All you can do is laugh, right? At least this time I am pretty sure his intentions were innocent.