Life's Little Pleasures

Yesterday I was in a bit of a bad mood while preparing Sam's lunch. Sam has been sick, which means he has been uncharacteristically crabby. I have been doing everything I can to keep him from whining. I have a big box of miscellaneous toys, books, and crafts stuck in his closet. Any time I find something incredibly cheap or free, no matter what the appropriate age level, I bring it home and throw it in the box. It has been a lifesaver the last few days. All I do is pull out a coloring page or pencil set and Sam is happy for hours.

The last thing I had pulled out of the box was a magnetic dinosaur playset. It has a little scene, complete with ancient-looking trees and erupting volcanoes. The magnets are various plants, birds, dinosaurs, and neanderthals. I would question its scientific accuracy if it hadn't been on clearance for $0.50.

Sam was sitting at the table, rearranging his dinosaur magnets on their playset, as I cooked lunch. Then I heard him take a slow, exaggerated, intake of breath. I turned to see what had triggered his stage gasp. He was pointing at the male neanderthal. It was complete with one-shouldered tigerskin wrap, heavy club, and a brow so prominent his eyes were totally obscured. Still pointing, Sam's face lit up as he rapturously said, "Oh - Daddy!"

Frankly, I don't know if I'll ever be in a bad mood again.