yesterday my brother and sister-in-law were unexpectedly shopping in fort wayne, at the time my parents and i were to be dropping off their oldest son, chase. our sunday plans were to drop him off, then watch a movie and/or do some post holiday shopping. after complicated and frustrating phone conversations, it was finally decided that chase would be left with my sister-in-law's mother. all the confusion resulted in a missed movie and exasperation at the change of plans. at some point during the tense car ride, i remarked, "i don't like surprises!"

after a pause, my nephew turned to me and asked, "do you like presents [which comes out, 'pwesents']?"

i had no idea what we were now talking about. "yeah, i like presents," i replied.

his eyes were innocent, and his comment eager and earnest: "well, just think of this wike a pwesent! it's a surpwise!"

i've just been unknowingly rebuked by a four-year-old.