Puzzles are puzzling

'Twas the night before Aug 12,

And all through the house,

Not a creature was stirring,

Not even a mouse"

Ok - it was more like 4:30am...and there was some stirring going on.

A familiar refrain is heard:

"Daddy!!! I need your help!"

I roll over - this must be a dream. No one needs help with anything at 4:30. It just isn't possible. Everyone is supposed to be sleeping.

But no. Not in my little house. Sleeping past 6am is a luxury. And besides - it's 4:30....and that means it's time to get up...run around the house in your bare feet - and look for things that require the assistance of the oh so lovable father figure upstairs.

"DADDY!!! Are you coming to help me?"

My eyes pop open. I don't smell smoke (that's a good thing), I don't hear the fire alarm (that too is a good thing)...and I have no idea what could be so important that my help is required at 4:30am. The birds are still asleep - so why isn't my son?

Good question indeed!

"Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaddddy!!!"

Fine. Now I'm curious. Maybe its the real deal this time? Maybe - just maybe...there is a legitimate reason to be up so freaking early - and calling out my name. Oddly enough...Mommy's name doesn't get called at such an ungodly hour. Just mine.

So I go downstairs to see what the hell is going on. And what do I see?

A little boy who has found a 100 piece puzzle (its a space one...lots of planets and stuff) and its strewn across the floor.

So I ask my son, "Well little man? What's so important that I have to be out of bed so early?"

He looks up...little brown eyes looking oh so cute and states matter of factly, "You need to help me put together this puzzle!"

"I do - do I?"

"Yes - that's right. It's a big puzzle - and only you are allowed to help me."

I think to myself - this is a scam. Only me? What's that all about? How'd I get so lucky? And yet - I feel honored.

"Why yes of course Nicholas! I'd love to help you put the puzzle together. Can we do it later?"

"No! You need to help me today!"

Ask a stupid question.... ;)

So I sit down with my son (who looks really cool in his skull motif pajamas) and we start with the puzzle. Border first - then the rest.

It's going really well. And as we're about done, my son turns to me and states the following:

"Now Daddy! As you can see - we are almost done the puzzle. There are only a few pieces left...and yet I think there is a problem. I think you're hiding the last piece of the puzzle. You always do that. So you might as well just hand it over now before the trouble starts."

His little hand is sticking out. Waiting for me to hand over the last piece of the puzzle that he is sure that I have.

And of course I do. So I hand it over.

Next time I'm hiding two pieces dude. You have to get up pretty early to fool Daddy. 4:30 seems to be early enough.

Blankets: For More Than Just Keeping Warm...or So It Would Seem!

My son is crafty. My son is convincing. And my son is very, very smart.

While spending time in the kitchen recently, I hear a sweet little voice from upstairs saying, "Daddy!! Come help me!".

"What?"

"I need your help?"

"With what?"

"Things!"

"What kind of things?"

"Important things!"

"How important?"

"Very important things! Now - will will you please come and help me?"

Sigh...."of course."

At this point - I start to climb the stairs to go see what's up.

And what was up?

A prank is what was up! Pretty good one too actually!

As I'm halfway up the stairs - a big fuzzy blanket comes flying down the stairs....and traps me!

"Haaaaa haaaaa Daddy!!! You're doomed! You are stuck under my magic blanket!"

Somethings to ponder here:

The "Ha ha" part. Hmmmm.....ok - it was pretty funny.

The "doomed" part. Geeeez little man....get over yourself. It was a blanket - and I lived to type about it. Doomed I certainly was not!

The "my magic blanket" part. The blanket may very well be magical indeed. I discovered this fabled blanket in a hotel room...and it magically left with me upon checkout. So....maybe he's on to something? Maybe the blanket is magical? But...it's my damn magic blanket. I borrowed it...a long time ago - way before I met my son. So the blanket is mine little dude!

Upon escaping from the "magic blanket" - I proceeded to take it with me upstairs....and then toss it over Nicholas - and proceeded to tickle him until he was screaming with laughter. Oh...and I said he was doomed too! :)

One day I need to re-tell the story of the little boy who cried wolf to my son. I may not be so gullible the next time he needs "help". He's always got a scam brewing it would seem....wonder where he picked up that trait?

Likely Mommy. :)