Welcome to the Dark Side, Sis

“But at school I do everything correct!” my youngest boy, (who is about to turn five years-old) exclaimed, in response to my scolding for his latest experiment that involved transforming the toilet into a foul scented foot bath. He’s smart, in a quiet sort of way, unlike his older brother who will interrupt my shower to explain a math equation. Instead, the youngest Christie possesses a criminal type of cunning combined with slightly reckless curiosity that I find both alarming and secretly funny. 

Today was a case in point. His six year-old sister was twirling in the living room curtains despite my warnings of consequences for not listening.  The next thing you know, the rod was on top of her head and a muffled “uh-oh” was coming from under a pile of drapes.  Meanwhile, little brother, who was jumping and laughing beside her, was a tad too celebratory over the mess his sister had made in her defiance.

“It wasn’t me, Mom!” he announced with cheerful certainty, since, for a change, he was clearly not the one tangled up.  

As my daughter struggled to free herself from the curtains, her little brother grabbed one of her hands for a forced high-five.

“Welcome to the dark side, Sis!” he whispered, grinning toward the bulge of transparent lace where an ear was visible.