Feb 03 2010
The Three Emilys
One of Josiah’s favorite books is Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sacher. In it, the class has the three Erics. We have experienced this phenomenon throughout the years. Josiah had the three Tylers, and Abby had the three Micahs. The best Gabe has done is two Laurens, but we have hope he’ll hit the magic number three eventually. Zeke has started out strong and is now in a class with the three Emilys.
When you are one of the three, you are addressed by your first name and the first letter of your last name. Therefore, Zeke attends school with Emily L., Emily F., and Emily R. Most Emily stories are told about Emily R., for she is, well, Emily R.
Last week, Zeke came home with an invitation to a birthday party for one of the three Emilys. The invitation clearly stated that it was from Emily F. Yet, Zeke has insisted for a week that the day of the party is Emily L’s birthday, not Emily F’s. “The calendar at school says Saturday is Emily L’s birthday,” he tells me each time I inform him that the party is for Emily F.
He will not accept that he is going to Emily F’s party on Emily L’s birthday, and he will not accept that he is wrong. (I have no idea where he gets that trait from.) So, we have argued for a week.
Yesterday, we stood in the store attempting to find a gift. I continued to insist that he was supposed to choose a gift for Emily F. Zeke continued to tell me items that Emily L. liked. “We are not buying a gift for Emily L!” I told him once again. Finally, I asked, “Isn’t there anything that all the girls in your class like?” Zeke replied, “All the girls in my class like ponies.”
When we arrived home, Zeke set the pony gift on the table. Josiah walked into the kitchen with a sly smile on his face. “Is that the birthday gift for Emily L.?” He asked.
I believe there are times when Mothers should be allowed to throw things at their children.
