My best friend of nearly 20 years, Deb, now has 2 small kids of her own. The oldest, Zoey, is turning out to be quite a ham, just like her mom! I have memories of Deb and I in 5th grade making complete fools out of ourselves in public, and enjoying every second of it. Once, we thought it would be absolutely hilarious to call random strangers Elvis Butt. I don't know why we thought that, but ya know what? It was hilarious.
Recently, Deb, Zoey, and I were sitting in her living room when Zoey (only 3 at the time) said the word, "Ice cream Butt." It caught us so off guard, that before Deb realized it, she had let out a snicker. Immediately she caught herself and threw a stern look at her daughter. But it was too late. Zoey realized she found a word that made us laugh, and so she took advantage of the situation, incorporating it into every sentence possible. And strangely enough, every time it was funny.
Finally Deb tried to crack down a little harder, telling her "no more." For a while Zoey was compliant. She had moved onto new subject matter, coloring, play-dough, Barbies. For a 3-year old, she was quite verbal and expressive. I found it hard to believe she could carry on such an animated conversation so well.
And then, with an absolute look of seriousness, almost urgency, Zoey said to her mother, "Oh mom, do you remember that time when we were all outside..."
Deb and I listened intently as Zoey spoke.
"We were all outside and then...(pause)...ICE CREAM BUTT!" she yelled, and then rolled on the floor with laughter.
I cracked up because she had us completely drawn into the seriousness of what she was saying. I tease Deb that she has a little Tina Fey on her hands. Oh that little comedian is going to be quite something when she gets older. What a riot. From Elvis Butt to Ice Cream Butt, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
Comments