We Love to Spell

Receiving this "story" from Jane made me realize that I am going to be really sad when all of my kids actually know how to spell.  For those of you who (undoubtedly due to your own academic shortcomings) can't read read the text, it says, "The grih was not hape th it was crmis ev." 

Did that help?  No?  Ok, here's the translation:  "The Grinch was not happy that it was Christmas Eve." 

At the rate she's going, I'm sure that Jane will soon be penning spy notes and seeking written revenge for things like Margot's false claims that she (Jane) mistreated circus animals.

The Tooth Fairy, Redux

In what may have been an attempt to implement Margot's theory of how to increase income, Claire recently accumulated a collection of three lost teeth.  She left them all for the Tooth Fairy the other night, commenting that she hoped the Tooth Fairy would both leave her some money and let her retain the teeth.  I followed up the next day:

Me:  "Claire, did the Tooth Fairy come?"
Claire: "Yes, and she left me three gold coins!"
Me:  "That makes sense - didn't you leave three teeth?"
Claire:  "Yes, but she had already paid me for one of those teeth - you'd think she would have known that.  I guess I need to leave her a refund.  AND, she let me keep the teeth!!"
Me:  "Great - didn't you say last night that you hoped she'd let you keep them?"
Claire (giving meaning-laden look):  "Mommy.  I know how this works. You emailed her and asked her to let me keep them."
Me: [silence]
Claire:  "And, Mom?  Thanks for doing that.  I'm really glad I got to keep them."

Obvious Facts About the Egg of Doom

This morning's exchange:

Claire:  "Margot!  There's an embryonic viper - you're going to crack the Egg of Doom!"
Don:  "Claire, why is it the Egg of Doom?"
Claire:  "Because the viper cannot be defeated."
Don:  [silence]

Because, really - how can you respond to that?