This boy
came home from high school with a wild story about
a teacher who owned a corn snake...
which had given birth to baby corn snake.
"What in the world does this have to do with me?" I asked in a futile attempt to ignore the obvious.
Thus, Joey formally opened the lobbying process to obtain another pet.
Now I have been down the winding snake highway many times before and I know where it goes.
Me: I DON'T WANT ANOTHER SNAKE!
Joey: Mom, it's only as long as a pencil.
Me: Pencils don't grow or wolf down rodents head first.
Joey: I'll keep it in my room and you won't even know it's there.
Me: You won't even know it's there because your room is so messy you won't be able to find it.
At this point, Joey withdrew for tactical reasons; stunned by my forceful Mommy logic and the guilt inducing maneuver that I have carefully honed for 28 years. But ever vigilant, I continued to keep up my guard, sleeping with one eye open and watching for further signs of assault.
However, Joey has developed his own set of skills and they are formidable.
Joey: Mom, I have a proposition for you.
Me: Judgmental eyebrow raised high Oh?
Joey: If I keep my room clean for 3 weeks, and pick up dog poop, will you let me get a parakeet instead of a snake?
Me: Mind racing and naivete oozing from every pore Oh sure, you're going to keep your room clean for 3 weeks and clean up after the dog without being asked? Of course you can get a parakeet. Wink wink, nod nod.
Then came an era of cleanliness unknown to exist in this corner of house for many years. Of course the bed is unmade but that would just be too weird.
Looks like the feathers will by flying soon.
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16 comments:
maybe you could pay someone to go in and mess his room up...
That's funny because just this morning at breakfast Joey told me he had a dream that he caught me in his room trashing it. He's such a perceptive child.
I am looking so forward to seeing a picture of the new parakeet. Do you think he will name it Charlie? That is a great parakeet name. My husband told me that whenever their parakeet bit the dust, they got another one and named it Charlie. Just wondering. Cuz, you know, inquiring minds want to know. :>)
Now that's a boy with a mission!
Don't you think it's a little harsh to make your kid "earn" a pet? It's just a parakeet for crying out loud. When I grew up we had 3 dogs, 4 cats and a potbelly pig.
If he's anything like my son, it won't last. You still have time, looks like he has 3 weeks left and that's 3 years in teenage boy time.
Resist - all all costs - resist!
Well, geez. I can't help rooting for your boy a little...
Although we had a parakeet once, and it did not endear itself to me.
;)
we had a pet snake once... no body wanted to feed it live mice so it just died. my family and pets not a good combo! except well dodger of course :)
Just for clarification, I have been the happy owner of over four birds, numerous snakes, lizards, newts, fish, frogs, rabbits, and other creatures. And I have only one week left. Success, you are mine.
As I was reading this I wondered if he wanted the bird all along - ha ha.
Love the check marks - any mother loves those.
At our house Grandma got me. Yep she called me the other day to make sure that what she "already bought" my youngest son was OK. Like I can say "No" now that she has already bought it right?
I'll just say that it invovles a terrarium, creatures that are slimy and multi toed and I she will be coming to clean out the thing when it needs it!
Well at least its a parakeet and not a snake... If his room gets messy, you could threaten to roast the bird. We had parakeets one time - they're all right, and it's cheerful noise.
ha! I read the comment you made about Joey dreaming you trashed it and I can totally picture it...
You with fists of clothes in your hands, hair all a mess, that deer in the headlights look as he catches you...I'm cracking up at just the thought of it. ha!!
I am with you on the snake thing....heebee jeebees! Way to outwit him on that one. : )
well goodness! who could possibly resist a boy with a smile like that who hasn't outgrown red dipped cones? he so has you figured out! enjoy the bird!
That is one clean room alright ... hey, better a bird than a snake, right??
I just had this same conversation with my 14 year old daughter last night. She wants a tortoise. To keep in her room. Where you are lucky to see a tiny piece of carpet because clothes cover every inch.
Considering I recenly had to confiscate her pet beta fish Sammy to give him a sporting chance at survival, I told her to not hold her breath. :)
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