To Pez or not to Pez...

I recently learned that Michael is creeped out by Pez dispensers. Partly in jest, and partly serious. What his mind automatically goes to is what they are teaching our children:

Pull off Mickey’s head and get a special treat!

Decapitate Scooby Doo and a sugary surprise awaits you!

I, personally, am neutral on the subject. We all seemed to make it through childhood unscathed by nightmares of floating, bloody Pez heads and the rewards of our barbaric behavior. Or maybe you didn’t…

But that just starts you down the road of examining all types of candies – any animal-shaped gummi, candy cigarettes, pixie sticks. Because what exactly is a Pixie’s stick?

I’m really just too lazy to care. I don’t mind passing up Pez, though. The candy is not that great, and those dispensers are a pain to load. It’s much easier and much more satisfying to bite the head off a chocolate bunny, anyway. And even better if they have those little candy eyes.

Reading Between the Lines

Camille has recently developed a favorite book.

“I’m making big red hearts today,
Big red hearts to give away.”

It’s about a little girl who is making and decorating hearts for her family and friends and talking about God’s love. It’s like Valentine’s for every day.

“How can I give God my heart?
Loving Him is where I’ll start.
I can sing and I can pray.
I show my love when I obey.”

How cool that it actually says that?

She will bring us no other book at bed time. Each night I read it like 6 or 7 times before I pick out something different. And if I read the rhymes in a staccato fashion, she will even do her shoulder dance to the rhythm.

Michael is with us as she gets ready for bed every night, but last night was the first time he read the book to her. But then he got to this part:

“I love Sister, I love Brother,
I love Nana, Dad, and Mother.
Thank you, God, for giving me
My very special family.”

Sweet, yes? But he stops and blurts out, “What a terrible book! The Grandpa is dead! They mention Nana, but where’s Papa? Sorry kids, Papa was hit by a bus last week!”