Liar Liar Pants on Fire

We have been having issues with Ellie telling the truth lately. She will sneak into my bedroom and take something, then lie about it when I ask her if she took it. She's taken my wedding rings, nail polish, money, etc. Or she will get something out of the kitchen and put it in her backpack. The other day I came into the room and she said to me, "Mama, I only have toys in my backpack." When she initiates something like that I KNOW she's not telling me the truth. Sure enough, she had no toys in her bag. What she did have, however, was an entire sleeve of Thin Mint cookies. Huh.

Then last week things hit the ceiling. Ellie came home from school about 1.5 weeks ago with a toy bracelet which she said my dad had given her. I believed that because he will often give the girls little trinkets. The following week, however, she came home with a play phone and a pair of little girl sunglasses. Again, she said dad gave them to her. This time I wasn't buying it. Without Ellie knowing I called dad who confirmed my suspicions. I then asked Ellie what Grandpa would say if I called him and asked if he had given Ellie a gift. She said he'd say NO. I asked where she got them. Apparently she took them from a girl at her school. Great.

Needless to say this discovery was followed by punishment, a call to the school, and a plan on how to give the stuff back. We decided that since Ellie used another girls toys she would give that little girl some of her toys to play with for a few days in return. The teachers and the parent of the girl were all very understanding. I am hoping that Ellie learned her lesson.

Since the incident at the school Ellie has not told me any more lies. I am keeping my fingers crossed that she really did learn her lesson. According to my mom I started to lie about the same age. However, as that story goes, when asked why I lied I quoted a song with the lyrics "Tell Me Lies Tell Me Sweet Little Lies." Apparently I looked at my mom and said "The song TOLD me to lie."...and I fully believed that. LOL. As far as I know Ellie has never heard that song......