Truth, Lies and Chase

Well, last night we had a very interesting talk with the boy. Yesterday we had his cousin Miles over to play. This is always a great treat for the boys. Anyway, we noticed later on that the floor register was not its spot and the heating system was exposed. We did all the parental things that we know...Begin by asking questions.

Dad: Ellis, who moved it?
Ellis: Hmmmm...I don't know
Dad: Did you put something down the hole (heating system)?
Ellis: Hmmmm...maybe Miles did...I think..I can't remember.
Dad: Did you do it, did you put something down there...it is important to tell the truth.
Ellis: Hmmmm...I am..ugh...maybe a car, oh no...wait maybe this (a card from his view slider)...WELL...maybe Scarloley.
Ellis starts to look nervous.
Dad: Ellis, you are not going to get in trouble, you just have to tell the truth and don't put anything down the hole.
Ellis...ok

Meanwhile I am getting his stuff ready for a bed. Every night Ellis has "snuggle" time with me. We talk about the day and what his favorite part was and say our prayers. He comes bouncing into my bed. And then our conversations begins:

Ellis: Mom...I'm sorry I moved the thing.
Mom: That's ok but you need to tell the truth. Do you know what the truth means.
Ellis: Uhmmm...no
Mom: How about honesty - do you know what that means?
Ellis: Uh..no (What the heck was I thinking - if he doesn't know what truth was how do i expect him to know the word honesty. So I try a different word.
Mom: Son..do you know what a lie is?
Ellis: As he puts his hand to his forehead and rolls his eyes..."MOM..this is a lot of hard work to figure this all out... Those are big words!"

5 minutes later...he interupts me saying something.

Ellis: MOM....you know what I think it might have been Chase (LIE!!!) SO BUSTED!!
Mom: Well, honey Chase is at home resting from his surgery. So it couldn't be him.
Ellis: Well, MOM...Chas is a VERY Curious boy!! (he states with such authority and his eyebows raised)
You see...Chase like to throw things and he likes to jump on things. He can also go down the hole (heater vent)...he is THIN!!

It dawned on me that I have no idea how to explain to a 4 year old about truth and lies. So, off to the library I go...AGAIN!!