Just Use This Sticky Fing

Yesterday morning when I was rushing to get ready to visit a ballet studio before my 10:30 Pilates class, Allyson managed to make a craft for me, all on her own. She waved it in front of my face, so close to my eyes that all I could see was a white blur.

"What is it, honey?"

"It a birthday cake! It's for you."

I set the toothbrush down, wiped the froth off my mouth, and turned for a better look. Allyson was holding a used fabric softener sheet to which she had taped three long strips of white paper, most likely swiped from the laser printer. The top edge of the "cake" was embellished with little cuts, probably intended as a fringe effect.

"It's VERY nice," I gushed. "I love it." I paused for a moment in order to convey a suitable level of appreciation before changing the subject. "Okay, let's get going so we can see where your new ballet class might be."

Allyson wasn't finished. "Do you know why it has free candles?"

"Why?"

"Because I'm free!"

"Yes, you are three. Now put on your shoes, please."

"Let's hang the cake on the front door," she persisted.

"Honey, we can't hang it on the front door. It'll blow away."

"Yes we can. That's why I got this sticky fing."

I turned sharply, preparing to scold her for getting into the Scotch tape again. My mouth dropped open when I saw what she was holding:


Yes, Allyson was planning to stick her fabric softener cake to the front door with a mini pad!

"Sweetie, I'm sorry, but we can't stick that on the front door."

"Yes we can. It's sticky."

"It's a pad, Baby. You can't put pads on the front door." (You can, however, stick them to the outside of a Girl Scout bus, but that's another story.)

"Why not?"

I searched for an explanation. "Because... pads are private."

"Oh," she sighed, with a disappointed shrug.

I chuckled halfway to the ballet studio (which was closed, after I'd done all that rushing). What tickled me the most was realizing how much Allyson is like her mama. Do you remember the creative use that I found for a feminine hygiene product a few months ago?

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.