100406

I can't believe that THIS is the world in which I rule:
Current mood: indescribable

So one of my children did something I never thought would happen. I don't have boys, so it never even occurred to me that I would EVER find myself in a situation as follows:

Outside, I had five children grouped around one of their own. One child, who was about to perform a stunt she will probably never EVER live down. A stunt that was so great, it's a given that it will be one of the greatest "remember when... " stories our kids will ever tell each other. All the children were excitedly talking over each other asking this one kid if she was really, REALLY going to do it? Each question was repeatedly answered with a very happy yes. I asked what was going on. I was told...

"She accepted a bet to eat a worm for $5.00."

WHAT?!?! I haven't seen THIS done since I myself was a kid. I was 100 positive that she was going to chicken out. She NEVER does stuff like THIS. But...

I was interested to see just how far she'd go. I didn't have anything to worry about, she's not the type to actually do it. She carefully chose her worm from a bucket of several worms all the kids had collected. Now, when I say 'carefully' I mean slowly... I really don't think any of us there at the time had enough information on earthworm-sushi to utilize in the 'careful selection' of the best of worms to devour. There were then several false starts. I knew it wasn't going to happen. I knew as soon as she felt the tickle at her lips, she'd chicken out.

She didn't even flinch at the tickling of her lips.

In .00028 seconds, that freaking worm was in her mouth, sliiiighly chewed, and down the ole hatch. And there she stood, with a very big smile on her face and hand outstretched for her five buckaroos.

Now, of all the children I have... the one who did it was the least likely to do something like that ever. Alaina. "Prissy, never plays outside unless forced, social butterfly, owner of boy toys who shower her with gifts" Alaina. THAT'S why I was so sure the bet wouldn't go down. THAT'S why I didn't interfere. THAT'S why it was so interesting to see just how far she'd go.

Immediately after Alaina sucks down her worm and all of us stare with open-mouthed silence... Ariel, with a dark look on her face, pipes up. Low-voiced and accusingly, she says, "You ate Elliot....*pause* at least I still have Charlie."

CoCo tells me that she too wants to eat a worm if I'll put it in her mouth for her. (She doesn't like to TOUCH them). I say no, and CoCo just continues to follow me asking over and over. The answer remained no. If the children insist on eating worms, they'll simply HAVE to put it in their OWN mouths.

Tessia and Duncan just stare. Even THEY wouldn't eat a worm.