Rats

Tonight, Liam asked me where Daddy went.

"To the drug store," I said.

"Why?"

"To buy mouse traps."

"Why?"

"To catch some mice in our apartment."

"Why?"

"Because the mice have been pooping in our kitchen and it's not very healthy."

"They need to poop in the potty."

"Yes, just like you're learning to do."

"What are you going to do when you catch the rats?"

"Take them outside where they can live more happily."

(Liar mama-the traps we got will kill them)

Later, after a fourth bonus book as I was putting Liam to bed, he insisted on getting up and talking to Daddy, who had come home with the mouse traps. He continued the line of questioning with Chris, trying to understand so many new concepts. He kept referring to the mice as rats. At Heart of a Child preschool in Berkely, they have two very sweet friendly rats named George and Martha, so Chris tried to make a comparison that some rats liked living indoors and some were happier outdoors.

"So when we catch them, can I take them back to Heart of a Child."

Gulp - empathetic glance between Chris and me. Guilt. Guilt. Guilt.

Liam will be looking for those mice for the rest of his life...