February 18, 2010

Love Hang-Over

Just before Valentine’s Day, the Steenky Haus was hit with a monsoon of sickness. Both Henry and Reese caught nasty colds, complete with explosive sneezing and gusts of non-stop whining. Once they hit the road to recovery, they insisted that with all-day cartoon marathons in mom and dad’s room, and unlimited access to their left over Valentine’s candy, they would recover quickly.

A couple of times I heard Henry upstairs coaching his little sister on what to say when summoning me and the exact tone to use when requesting a shot of juice with a side of Sweet Tarts. In Henry’s mind this elaborate drill was necessary if the kids were to avoid the pediatrician’s office, an unfortunate lesson he learned a year ago when he pressed the issue of a stomach pain with me when, in fact, he was just trying to avoid cleaning his playroom.

Nice try little boy. I think the doctor diagnosed him with pretendanitis and told him not to play tricks on mommy.

Although, half of me is giving my son a silent high-five, because, really? He has developed deceptive organizational skills at such an early age? We have managed to raise a truly gifted child. I can’t wait to collaborate with him in the future on projects like What did daddy get mommy for Christmas? or the ever popular When did the toothless lady down the street start raising goats in her back yard? After all, I am growing very tired on being the mastermind on all these fact-finding missions. I could really use a partner.

So back to the kids…

Ten minutes has passed and I still hear Henry helping Reese go over her lines and just what to say when it becomes her turn to beg for candy. They are using her room for rehearsal since it is the only suitable area upstairs for such an activity. Reese’s area has all the princess dress up clothes and the lighting concept in that room? Is. To. Die. For.

A few minutes later, Henry and Reese emerge. (slowly, very slowly with blankets in tow - Henry has now incorporated props! I am so proud!) They come downstairs (still very slowly) to hit me with their plan. But before Henry, who is clearly leading this thing, even gets a chance to begin, Reese interrupts and excitedly shouts, SUCKER! SUCKER! over and over again.

I can only assume she was referring to the candy stash and she hasn’t picked up name-calling at such a young age. Although…if Henry and I ever find ourselves in a situation where we need a third man to get the job done, we could use Reese to run interference.

18 comments:

Kat said...

Cunning plan!! Reece would make such an adorable distraction. I am sure you and Henry could get away with murder, not that you would ever try that...

Jenni said...

sounds like Reese could create one heck of a distraction

Mrs. C. said...

Infusions of Spongebob seem to cure all disease around here. And they generally avoid "playing" sick because teacher-mommy pulls out age appropriate homework if it seems they are just faking it...

Miz Dinah said...

Hehe gotta admire their spirit.

Sprite's Keeper said...

You should do what I did. Just eat all the candy. While they watch. It's evil but nips the begging in the bud.

The Farmers Wife said...

Oh man, I feel your sickness pain. Oldest just came down with the dread-mahongous. Whining is totally contagious, and so now tiny is whining too. Which equals even less sleep than normal, and OOH double trouble, oldest snuck into our bed and didnt make it to the potty soon enough... Of course she was laying right next to me. Well I hope all is better soon, better get to training those future olympians, though maybe hold off on the red bull for now though...

Keely said...

Start working on their ninja skills too, and you'll have little mini-spies. Excellent source of income.

GreenJello said...

To heck with dragging them to the pediatrician's office... my mom-in-law would drag out the castor oil and dose them three times a day with it.

My hubby said he'd rather go to school sick than to have to take castor oil.

Lady of Perpetual Chaos said...

Obviously you're not the sucker that Reese was begging for! I really have to admire their dedication. It's impressive!

Lisa @ Boondock Ramblings said...

Little turd! :-) In a good way!

Kristina P. said...

They are sneaky.

Carolyn...Online said...

Dude, I had to pick up Parker from school yesterday because she was "dizzy"... Tell me that's not the best fake illness EVER. You can't even test it with a thermometer.

Captain Dumbass said...

I'd be very proud if I were you. Very proud.

for a different kind of girl said...

Girls are always the real brains behind an operation. Boys are just the muscle. Or to drive the getaway car.

unmitigated me said...

On the plus side, they will NEVER be able to put anything over on you. You know all the tricks! I had the same advantage over my sixth grade students. My teaching partner and I had tried every trick in the book as kids, so we sometimes critiqued them on their technique.

Rachel said...

ahhhhh, kiddos. I love it when they're devious young! Poor Henry though. There's always someone who foils the plan!

Dee at Pedestrian Palate said...

OK, the boy has a promising career as either a hollywood director or a sports agent.

Casey said...

They're brilliant! Come to think of it, I'm dining on a bag of Reeses Pieces right now. Does Reese eat them? Then they really would be Reese's pieces!