As we often do in the afternoons, the family unit was hanging out in the studio yesterday. We were all there together, but each of us was doing his own thing.
Robbi was drawing stuff.
Alden was also drawing stuff (I am pleased that she takes after Robbi instead of me).
Kato was just hanging out in the sunshine.
I was trying to straighten up the studio and decided to take out the recycling. My task was complicated by the fact that the box contained a non-recyclable item.
No amount of persuasion could remedy the situation.
My pleas were met with callous laughter. My threats were met with strategic counter measures.
Eventually, all was still. The standoff continued.
Demands were issued. Alden would only remove herself from the box if a milkshake were to be offered in exchange.
Robbi and I considered her offer, and decided to take her up on it. After all, we like milkshakes, too.
We drove to our favorite greasy spoon and placed the order. Alden was tentative.
And then not tentative at all.
I mean, not even a little.
Robbi and I kept asking for a sip and she said things like, “Yeah, yeah, in a minute, jerky.” Needless to say, we did not get even a taste before the shake was gone. Sugar coma quickly set in.
Robbi and I may have been disappointed, but Kato was notably distressed at the blatant inequity.
Fortunately, being 8 months old and not yet a skilled negotiator, he was easily persuaded that pureed green beans were just as good as a milkshake.
I can’t be sure, but I think I heard Alden mutter “sucker” under her breath. Moments before she passed out entirely.
Pureed green beans must also contain some slumber-inducing qualities.
The only thing better than a sleeping baby is two.
