bad words from the mouths of babes

I recently had my first experience of trying to discipline my child, while trying really hard not to laugh (I was highly unsuccessful).

It reminds me of the time that Little Joe (about 18 months at the time) called me a butthead and Deedra and I were laughing so hard, that Russ had to take over....anyway.....

Claire came to me crying; she was so upset and told me that Ellie had called her a bad name. My mind instantly went down a list of possibilities. I decided to ask Claire what her sister had called her and prepared myself for the worst (they are in daycare, afterall). Claire says, "Ellie called me a cracker." Hmmm....I wonder where she learned that. I calmed Claire down and went to find Ellie.

Ellie is lying in my bed, watching TV with her Dad. Innocent and sweet as can be. I march up to her, take her little face in my hands, and say, "Do not call your sister a cracker; it is not nice." I didn't get the entire sentence out without a smile on my face, although I gave it a valiant effort. What did not help is my dear husband struggling for breath behind his pillow. Wimp.

I am sure Ellie was calling her sister a 'saltine' or Goldfish or Melba Toast. At least that is what I HOPE.