It happened so soon...too soon!

Yesterday I had an interesting experience that I thought (and hoped) wouldn't happen for a LONG time. My old boss called and asked if I could work half a day because all her other employees (which happen to be my two sisters) are out of town. Bryson went with me like he always did when I worked there. He was well behaved and made me laugh all day. Well, my boss didn't have an extra key to her store so she told me to take the key to the store next door after I locked up and she'd pick it up in the morning. So, after I closed up I took the key next door. While I was talking to this lady Bryson was looking at these big plastic rings. When I was done I could hardly get him out the door. I had to keep calling his name. Finally, I just said, "Bye, I'm leaving" and opened the door. He came running over and we headed to the car. I opened the car door and told him to get in. He just looked at me with this REALLY sheepish smile. I knew something was up! I said,"What? What did you do?" Then, he glanced down at his hand. So, I looked at his hand too. On his finger was one of the rings he was looking at! He totally STOLE a ring. I was so shocked and didn't really know what to say at first. I couldn't believe that my 2 year old have just stolen something. Then, I realized what I had to do. I marched him back into the store and made him give the ring back to the lady and apoligize to her. He was really scared. He knew what he did was bad. When we were outside again I had a little chat with him about how if we want something we have to buy it with money. And, I also told him what happened to people when they steal things. He's really freaked out about jail (Pete watches cops alot). So, he started crying when I told him he'd go to jail if he stole again. We got in the car and I decided to go to the bank and get some cash out. I knew a teaching moment was in order. I gave Bryson a dollar bill and told him that it was his money and he could buy whatever he wanted with it. He got really excited! I told him he could go to any store he wanted. I named some stores off. He said no to all of them. He said, "I want to go to Fry's" I laughed and said, "Ok". So, I took him to Fry's and let him pick out a toy. He chose a container of play-doh with a Sponge Bob figure on top. So, we headed to the check out counter. Bryson was carrying his dollar bill in one hand and his toy in the other. And, he was galloping like a horse. He looked so cute! I just had to laugh. Everyone was watching him and laughing too. He told me I could ride him (he was a horse, remember?). I told him I'd probably break his back. He assured me I wouldn't but I passed anyway. When we got to the register I took a picture of him just before he handed his money to the lady. Then, I showed him what to do. I explained to the lady what I was doing and why and she over emphasized it for me, which was great. He was so excited to hand the lady his toy and then his money. He just kept chuckling and smiling at me. It was so cute. I took another picture of him in the cart on the way out the door. He held his toy up proudly! I was glad I could teach him a lesson today. I think he really understood and learned his lesson. It was kinda fun. I felt like a real mom! HA HA HA.