the case of the missing Aggie ring

Ring day is the most anticipated event for a Texas A&M student. On September 21, 2008, Josh and I  received our rings in the same group. Then there was the task of earning the right to wear it. Fun stuff.

Last month we had a small scare. When Josh went to put on his Aggie ring, he couldn't find it. We were in a hurry to meet some of his new classmates at Thursdays on 1st and 3rd, so we decided to look as soon as we got home. Josh was pretty bummed about it, but didn't want us to be late. 

Once we got back home, we set up the investigation. The most likely suspect was our two year old. We remembered that the previous night, Peyton played on our bed while we put away laundry. He also loves to explore what's on our nightstands. This kid is notorious for taking my eye drops and using my chapstick. (see the video at the end of this post) Also, Josh puts his jewelry on the night stand. 

After tearing apart the upstairs, we decided to ask Peyton. Here's how it went:

Josh: Hey Peyton, where is Daddy's ring?

Peyton: ring all gone, bye bye

Josh: is it with your toys? Where is it?

Peyton: ring, ALL DONE!

Ashley: what color is the ring?

Peyton: yellow (uh oh...toddler speak for gold)

We both had a heart attack. I went and got my Aggie ring and showed it to Peyton.

Peyton: OH, HERE Daddy! Daddy's ring! (double uh oh)

One thing that scared us was that our new place has floor vents that aren't bolted down. Peyton discovered right away that they could be lifted off and has already dropped a basketball key chain into one. We knew that if he had dropped it down one, it wouldn't be easy to get to it.

After we put Peyton in bed, we got back to the search.After knowing Josh for 7 years, I've found what works for us when he loses stuff. I make him back track up to the last time he saw it. I'm sure it gets annoying, especially since he gets in a really bad mood about losing somethings. BUT it works. The night before, he had put it in his pocket while watching a movie downstairs. (we checked the chair he sat in...no dice) After that he took out the trash. (ugh, did he somehow throw it away?) 

At this point we were really stumped and started to feel sick about it. THEN Josh had a light bulb moment. He remembered seeing Peyton play with my jewelry box. We found the ring in the first drawer I opened. YAY!

Peyton is a genius. He played with Daddy's ring, and put it where it belongs...in a jewelry box! That's why he was saying "all done" as he does when he puts his toys away. Ultimately, we learned from this that we need to keep valuable jewelry out of Peyton's reach.

Dear Peyton,

This picture WILL be framed in your dorm one day. Even if for some crazy reason decide not to go to A&M.

Love,
Mom

proudest member of the Fightin Texas Aggies class of 2033