She did what?!!!

So, a couple of months ago, our longtime TV broke. We went out TV shopping, and came home with this 42" monstrosity (it looked a lot smaller in the store, surrounded by all the other humongous TVs). I thought it was maybe a bit extravagent, but we got it all hooked up, and even hooked up the surround sound system that we've had since we lived in OK and have never really used right. The setup looked good, and we were enjoying it. Until yesterday, that is.




Bethany was downstairs playing on the computer and Meagan was watching TV while I was upstairs doing whatever. Meagan came up saying that Bethany had turned off the TV. I went down, and looked. There was still sound, but no picture on the TV, so it wasn't off. I thought maybe someone had changed the channel or something. Then I looked closer, and found this:



Meagan had taken a section of wooden train tracks and either hit the TV or threw it at the TV. I had no idea the things were so fragile. Nate called the store we bought it at. The warranty doesn't cover abuse by children (which we expected), but we didn't expect them to want $150 just to come out and look at the thing. That's not including whatever parts and labor they'd put into fixing it. So, we are out one large, rather expensive TV. Grrrr.


To teach Meagan the consequences of her action (which she doesn't really seem to grasp), she doesn't get to watch TV for the rest of the week, at least (on the miniscule 12" TV we have left). The problem with that is that her punishment punishes me, too. I'm not exactly looking forward to the next several days without the electronic babysitter. Not that they spend all day in front of the TV or anything, but there are parts of the day where I really need some time without interruption to just plain get things done. Otherwise, Meagan is usually glued to my side. Trying to find ways to keep her occupied will be rather draining, I'm thinking. Sigh. At least the sun was out today.