Yet Another Conversation with Em, Presented Without Commercial Interruption

Em (7, and in second grade): We're learning a lot of stuff in school now about Thanksgiving and Pilgrims and stuff like that.

Me: Yeah?

Em: Yeah, today we were learning about what it was like to be a girl in those times. And guess what? Girls then had to serve all the meals to their parents FIRST! And then they had to STAND and WAIT until the parents finished eating, and then they could eat their dinner! Isn't that horrible?

Me: What exactly do you think happens in our house?

Em: What do you mean?

Me: Well, who gives you your food?

Em: You.

Me: And who has to wait until after you've been given your food to eat?

Em: You. BUT we don't make you STAND the whole time! After you give us our food you get to sit down!

Me: Except what do I complain about all the time?

Em: That the second you sit down we ask you for more of something?

Me: Yup. So what ends up happening most of the time?

Em: You stand while we eat?

Me: Uh-huh. (Pause) I think maybe it's time to have Pilgrim Week at our house.

Em: Noooooooooooo!