My day

So I had something of a bad day. When Meaghan and the kids picked me up from work, I said, "The day's over; let's celebrate!" thinking that this would be a good end to the day with the family. Since Gregory's been talking more these days, I though I'd ask him for some input.

"Gregory, what shall we do to celebrate?"

That was my mistake. Taking full advantage, he said, "Buy small peasent!"

He apparently thought that if he asked for a small present, I might actually buy him one. You know, to celebrate the end of my day.

"I was thinking we'd go out and eat some ice cream. Who wants ice cream?"

"NO ICE DEAM! BUY SMALL PEASENT!"

Perhaps thinking that adding her voice to the argument might help Gregory's case, Emmie chimes in with a whiny voice: "Present. PRESENT!"

I tried my best to resist, but it went on and on. He really knows how to win these arguments. "You don't want a cupcake?" In a manic, crying scream, "NO CUPCAKE! PEASANT!" Big lower lip, tears streaming down, the whole 9 yards.

So after eating our yummy, Advent fast sphagetti, I trudge off to Target to buy small presents for the kids. No ice cream for me, which I suppose is more in line with the fast anyway. (Kids won't let me buy ice cream. I know—I'll call it fasting!)

I've really come to dislike our consumer culture. Target was a perfect example, with all sorts of stuff for sale that no one really needs. But apparently I don't dislike it enough not to participate. So I bought Emmie a My Little Pony and Gregory some Thomas the Tank Engine bath toys—which they totally need.

Luckily the presents were a hit. So we put the kids to bed happy. Then I had a beer and played an iPod Touch game for my celebration. Not what I had in mind, but I suppose it works.