"Hibiscus Hugs to Lifeless Lizards"

Joseph is a sweet kid that brings me flowers on a daily basis. Since we have about 20 hibiscus bushes, he makes sure to bring me a few blooms to put in vases. It is an unwritten rule that we have to give hugs and kisses when fowers are brought in for mommy. I love to see him running toward me with a hand full of flowers and his arms outstreched. Here he is with his gift--nice little boy.

About 20 minutes after the gift of flowers were given, Joseph arrived back inside the house with another gift. He had his hand behind his back and said,"Mommy, I have a surprise for you."

He then showed me his surprise--a dead lizard. This critter hadn't seen the light of day for awhile. I know this because his eyes had rotted out. I was definitely surprised.

Do you want a closer look?

I told him to take the lizard back outside. Of course, Joseph remembered where he put the lizard because he took daddy outside to see him when he came home for lunch. Doyle asked Joseph if Mommy liked the lizard and he said "Yes." What did I say to make him think that? Joseph was not done showing off his amphibian. When the kids came home from school, he went outside and brought the stiff critter back in to be viewed once again. He then proceeded to show Lydia that the head could be twisted off. That was all I could stand. I held out a trash can and told him to put the head in the trash. He did and ran through the house with the remaining parts of the lizard. I went after him and asked him where he had put the headless lizard. He was glad to show me. He opened up the container where we keep our dog food and pointed. There he was sitting on the dog food. I know at this point I should have ended this episode, but the kid in me said, "Leave it there-Julianna will be home from sewing class in a few minutes and she will feed the dog." I did not want her to miss out on the family fun. Sure enough, she came home and opened the dog food lid. I heard her say, "Oh my word, there is a lizard in the dog food." She is not afraid of them, but was not used to seeing headless ones in the dog food. Oh well, that was enough excitement for one day. By the way, I only give hugs for the flowers--they definitely look better in a vase.