House Elf

The kids are on a school break.  Maura had gone to play with a pal.  Schatz was feeling restless and bored.

Dad:  Do you want to go play Bocce Ball in the backyard?

Schatz: No.

Dad:  What do you want to do?

Schatz:  Can we play House Elf*?

Dad:  What is House Elf?

Schatz:  Well, I will be your slave and do chores for you all day like a house elf.  If I do a good job being your house elf you will give me a dollar.

Dad:  What if you do a bad job?

Schatz:  Then you can fire me.

So we spent the afternoon and evening finding jobs for our little house elf to do.  Her daddy did give her a dollar, but after we were finished folding the last load of laundry I tossed her a sock.  The next few hours before bedtime was spent playing Freed House Elf in which she repeatedly told us that she WOULD do something for us, but she didn't HAVE to because she was a free elf.

*Let's hope JK Rowling's copyright protection doesn't include imaginary play acting.

Phew! Thank goodness someone put this back in the fridge! Waste not want not.  Besides the next person might only want about half a thimbleful of Lipton iced tea.

He Sees You When Your Sleeping...

We took the kids to Target to choose Christmas presents for each other.  We were sitting in the food court afterwards enjoying a Christmas hotdog and milkshake.

Maura:  Only eleven days until Christmas!!

Me:  And we have GOT to stop shopping!  I was finished with all my Christmas shopping and I STILL bought you each one more thing because I am so excited for Christmas. 

Schatz:  You know...we could just have Christmas early...

Maura:  Yeah! Let's have Christmas early.  Nobody would have to know!

Me:  I think Santa might have a thing or two to say about it.

Schatz:  Yeah.  Santa's always watching us day and night.  (pauses)  Santa is kind of a creeper.