Tuesday, April 15, 2008

My Gullible Sub-Unit

I shouldn't take advantage, but she makes it so easy. On Sunday driving home from church, Emma and I were alone in my car, sans the screaming toddler. We were having a pleasant conversation about the middle east crisis and butterflies. She told me she's of the opinion we're occupying Iraq solely for the oil, and I told her my favorite butterfly was the pretty one with the spots. Anywho, I reached over and tried to hold her hand. She jerked her hand away and asked what I was doing. I explained that I enjoy holding her hand and that we don't do it enough. Since my right hand wasn't being used to supply the animal in the back his steady stream of raisins, I wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to hold her hand while I was driving. She didn't want to hurt my feelings by coming out and telling me she plain jane didn't want to hold my hand, so she announced she would do eeny meeny miny moe to decide if her hand would reside in mine or on her lap. She knew right where to start to make sure it ended in her favor.

"Oh, you're not it!" she said happily.

Well, I would not have it. 

"Emma, didn't anyone tell you what today was?" I asked.

"It's Sunday!" she said.

"Yes, it is Sunday, but it's also opposite day." I said.

"Ohhhhh, I didn't know it was opposite day." she said.

"Yes Emma, the 2nd Sunday in the month of April is opposite day. Everything that happens today will have an opposite outcome."

"Ohhhh, no one told me that today was opposite day." she said, defeated.

So, she dutifully put her hand in mine and for the last 47 seconds of our car ride home, we held hands.

The next night at dinner, she looked at her plate of salad and chicken pot pie, and yet again employed eeny meeny miney moe to decide which side of the plate to start with. Unfortunately, her finger landed on the pot pie (remember, the item the finger lands on is 'not it').

"Mama, is today still opposite day?" she asked, hopeful, since she's not a fan of salad.

"Sorry Emma, it's not. Only the 2nd Sunday of April is opposite day. Now eat your salad like a good girl." I said.

_1139369

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

So you're the mysterious sweater dropper!!!! I wondered where on earth that sweater and skirt came from that showed up on my doorstep a few months ago. By the way, Josh immediately claimed it as his and wore it several times before it became too warm. Emma's beautiful by the way. :-)

Jenny D. said...

I feel so honored to be mentioned in your blog, since your blog is now one of my faves!!! I'm assuming you fixed your oven. We need to get together soon, it's been way too long.

Jaylee Draney said...

Blasted Sara! I've been found out! I try to practice making what I do in quiet be what defines me, not what I shout out to the world. And, also, I forgot I left them.

Heather said...

that is a great pic jaylee. I can't believe that after living with you for 7 years she hasn't caught on to you yet...

H said...

Oh Jaylee, stuff like that is going to bite you in the butt someday!

Monique said...

Jaylee,
You are a nature writer. I enjoy your blog, and you girl is just beautiful. Too bad she doesn't look anything like you. J/K I will have to remember that the second Tuesday in April is opposite day. Lucky for me though, my kids still think I have a magic eye *wink wink*

Diana said...

That is so great! I will totally be using opposite day in the future! Emma is gorgeous in that picture.