With an estimated 30 minutes remaining until their mother returned home, I gathered the boys together.

Looking deep in their eyes, I provided them with a likely scenario.  A scenario involving the treadmill sitting in the basement.  The same basement that contains the majority of their toys.

“In about 30 minutes, your mother will return home.  She will be so happy to see you and we will all enjoy a lovely dinner.  Shortly after dinner, Mom will say, ‘That was a wonderful meal, now I think I will walk on the treadmill.'”

“Now, I don’t know the current condition of the basement.  I’m not sure if the toys are all picked up and the basement is clean, but if I were you, I would head downstairs and make sure everything looks good.”

As the boys ran off to rapidly clean the basement, I smiled to myself.  A threat nestled within the warning of a likelihood, it appears as if all is well in the Paulsen house.