Conversations with children about a birthday cake
I told my sister that my wife and I needed to conference with her children. She agreed, bemused.
We had to go round after tea on Saturday because they were stuck on a Mario Wonder level. So my wife played with them, trying to instill some sort of discipline and tactics. And failing.
While they were having a sanity break we huddled. "What decorations shall we do for Mummy's birthday cake?" I asked.
"Flowers," said the eight-year-old.
"That's such a good idea, which is why we did daffodils last year."
"Daffodils," said the three-year-old.
"Bugs," said the five-year-old.
"Does Mummy like bugs, though?" She definitely does not.
"No."
"Okay, so, more ideas."
"Sheep," said the eight-year-old.
"We did that the year before."
"A butterfly," said the eight-year-old.
"Great!" I said. Thinking, we're done here.
"But that's a bug," the five-year-old complained.
My wife, who had to actually make and decorate this cake, was clearly unsure. "That's good, that's the right direction. Anything else?"
"The beach," said the eight-year-old.
While I wouldn't describe my sister as being a beach person, at all, I could sort of see it.
We discussed this briefly. Everyone was pleased.
"Okay," my wife said. "Beach is looking good. Any more ideas before we decide?"
"Bugs," said the five-year-old.