All They Need is a Mahogony-Paneled Smoking Room

"I like Obama."

It's bedtime and I tug Ariel's pajamas over his head and look up at Elan, surprised. "Do you now?"

"Yep. I saw him on the news this morning. I like him because Uncle B. wants him to win. So I do too."

Amused, I turn to my little one. "So, Ariel. What are your politics? Obama or Hillary?"

Ariel tries not to smile and stalls for time. "I....like...."

Before he can take a side, Elan quickly leans forward, whispering in his younger brother's ear conspiratorially. "Hillary's a girl!"

I fall back on the floor laughing. In a sea of politeness and jargon, my son, the buoy of laymen reason...

"Then Obama, Obama," Ariel quickly opines.

They high-five.

Oh No She Did NOT

"Move Auntie Mardo!"
"Hannah, you know what?"
"What!"
"If you sleep all night in your crib tonight like such a good girl and don't cry at all and don't wake up your mommy, Auntie Margo is going to take you to the toy store and buy you a toy!"
"A toy?"
"A Strawberry Shortcake toy!"
"No stahbewwy shotecake! iPod!"