homework lessons

Me: Do you have your folder?
Sam: Yeah.
Me: Did you turn in all that homework you needed to turn in from when you were sick last week?
Sam: Yeah.

Imagine my surprise when I get home and see (strewn all across the dining room table) said homework. I mean, it wasn't even hidden where you could miss it!

I call Steve...

Steve: Hi!
Me: Explain to me how you two walked past all this homework all over the dining room table in order to get out of the house and still it didn't manage to get INTO the bookbag and turned in at school.
Steve: Wait a minute...When we were leaving the house this morning, I asked Sam if he had his folder and he said yes. I specifically asked him if he had all the homework he needed to turn in and he said yeah.
Me: So he lied to you?
Steve: Seems that way.
Me: He lied to me too. When I picked him up from school I asked him if he had turned in all that homework and he said yes.
Steve: I just don't know what to say.

Me: Why did you lie to your father and me about the homework?
Sam: I don't know.
Me: Did you think we wouldn't see it all over the dining room table?
Sam: Mommy, I just forgot.
Me: No...you didn't forget. You were reminded and you said you did something that you never did. That's lying. Why didn't you turn in the homework? Why lie about it?
Sam: My mind was just playing tricks on me.
Me: Oh, don't give me that (crap). Go get the homework, right now, and put it in your bookbag...and TURN IT IN TOMORROW. No privileges for a week.

(shortly later)
Sam: Mommy, how many days is a week?
Me: Seven.
Sam: awwwww maaaaan!

(shortly after that)
Sam: Mommy, I don't understand why I even have to GO to school...I mean...I don't LIKE it.
Me: (stifling a laugh) Because you have to learn things so you can grow up and work for NASCAR like you say you want to. You can't do that if you don't know math...or how to read and write...or science stuff.
Sam: (sigh)

Other than Steve freaking out about some work thing last night, it was so peaceful without television or playstation or computer. I had time to crochet! Admittedly, there is a bigger mess of toys in the house this morning from all the "active" play...but I really don't mind because the kid is gonna clean it up anyway (evil laugh).