Ok so maybe clepto is a little harsh seeing as Urban Dictionary defines it as "someone who enjoys stealing and will jack anything they can get their hands on", but my little one is definitely pushing the boundaries of the what's mine is mine and what's yours is mine theory.
I have recently started checking her pockets before nap time, like you would check your pockets before washing clothes, and I am always amused by what I might find.
Today however I was not amused, ok well I was slightly amused about some of it. FINE, it gave me a pretty good laugh now as I think about it.
Anyway, today I found something she had "jacked" from preschool. Not just something but somethings.
The first pocket was fairly uninspiring, a small plastic gem shaped object that resembles a ruby.
The second pocket however was the pocket that gave me pause...and a good belly laugh.
Not only was there a large gumball sized piece of homemade playdough but also a clear plastic tack. Yup you heard me right, tack. Like the kind you stick pieces of paper to a corkboard with.
And I'm thinking "is this kid serious?" I mean I couldn't make this shit up if I tried.
Her reaction to me finding the random mishmash of items gave me some comfort, she expressed what I can only describe as remorse as her brain processed the response she would receive from her teacher when we had to return said "collected" items next week.
As I dried her tears I was reminded of how I felt the first (and only) time I stole something as a kid. I remember it VIVIDLY. It was a piece of strawberry candy from a store in the mall. They had big barrels of candy that you could put in bags, I put one in my pocket.
My mom had me return the candy to the store worker, who was most likely some angst filled teenager who couldn't have cared less, but to me it was the ultimate humiliation. I seriously never ever ever stole from a store again so apparently that was a lesson learned, despite the blow to my ego.
I wonder if the returning of the gem, playdough and tack will be equally lasting, one can only hope.
Yeah, clepto may be a little harsh. Collector perhaps! Sadie's pockets are a joy on laundry day. Her 'favorite pebble', random pennies and a kazoo last weekend. Bless our girls...big and small :)
Posted by: Juanita Spence | February 03, 2012 at 02:33 PM
Collector indeed, I love it!!
Posted by: Kerry Reynolds | February 06, 2012 at 01:55 PM
Ah yes! The classic Hickory Farms candy story.
Posted by: Erin Hess | February 12, 2012 at 03:21 PM