Cavemen, The Kid Who Can't Take No and The Booger Ghost

The kids got out early today. The last Tuesday of every month they get out at 2:18 for teacher enrichment or something or other. I decided to open up the wallet and go to the Dollar Tree and let each kid pick out a toy. I figured we could afford $3 today. Especially with all the money we're saving by not paying for cable.

And who needs it, with "Kids Conversations in the Minivan." Honestly, the funniest show not on t.v. I'm not sure if the crazy/insightful/hilarious chit chat occurs with dads in the minivan or if it is an exclusive "q and a" session reserved for the patience of moms alone.

"Mom," Grant (8 years old) announces out of nowhere. "I think I know how cavemen went to the bathroom. They just held it, 'cause they were tough like that."

"Well, actually Grant," I explained like the all-knowing mom and frequent post-college camper that I was. "I think they dug a hole, went in it, and then covered it back up."

"Kind of like a cat!" You could hear the lightbulb go off over 6-year old Spencer's head. "Except that cats don't dig a hole."

"Mom," Grant said switching subjects without as much as a pause. "How come everybody always tells me no."

"Because Grant," I explained. "You ask for everything."

"Yea. Well I'm that kind of kid."

The conversation continued and questions about archery and Easter and stickers and music and money went back and forth. Only 15 minutes and we covered more topics than most daytime talk shows cover in a month.

"Mom," Grant confessed. "I got a Think Time today." A Think Time is the new consequence for doing something naughty at school. When pressed for his offense, he admitted to "Doing the Booger Ghost."

Apparently the Booger Ghost is a tissue that you draw little eyes on and then pick your nose. You aren't suppose to make a Booger Ghost in public, only in private, and when it's revealed, strikes fear in those who are pursued by it. In other words, its purpose is to tease other kids, in particular girls. I'm not sure of its official purpose, but I think that is basically it.

And then I realized that this could be our Million Dollar Idea. I could write whole books about the Booger Ghost. How he's there for the few days that you need him and then he falls under the bed to live the rest of his life with the Dust Bunnies. How he takes care of you in your moment of need as you battle the Rhino Virus. Books on tape. A Pixar Movie with John Ratzenberger doing the voice of the Booger Ghost. And don't even get me started on the action figures.

Today, Booger Ghost got us a Think Time. Tomorrow, Booger Ghost makes us a mint!