Somebody’s going through severe withdrawl

I take Gabby to daycare two mornings a week. During the 20-minute ride I try to engage her in conversation, whether it be commenting on the countryside or singing songs. Often I will begin singing, “If you’re happy and you know it.” I then fill in instructions as random as I can make them.

For instance, this past Wednesday I started up the song. I sang “If you’re happy and you know it - ,” and proceeds to say “clap your hands,” then “clap your feet,” and, finally, say, “I love you.” Gabby does them all.

Once I quieted, Gabby - for the first time - started to sing the song herself. She then filled in the “whatcha gotta do” part. Here is her song. It starts as you’d expect.

“If you’re happy and you know it, say ‘poo poo.’ (poo-poo!)
If you’re happy and you know it, say ‘poo poo.’ (poo-poo!)
If you happy and u know then face will show, if you’re happy and you know say, ‘poo poo.’” (poo-poo!)

“If you’re happy and you know it, say ‘Yosef.’ (Yosef!)
If you’re happy and you know it, say ‘Yosef.’ (Yosef!)
If you happy and u know then face will show, if you’re happy and you know say, ‘Yosef.’” (Yosef!)

“If you’re happy and you know it, say ‘cheerleaders.’ (cheerleaders!)
If you’re happy and you know it, say ‘cheerleaders.’ (cheerleaders!)
If you happy and u know then face will show, if you’re happy and you know say, ‘cheerleaders.’” (cheerleaders!!)

“If you’re happy and you know it, say ‘the football team.’ (the football team!)
If you’re happy and you know it, say ‘the football team.’ (the football team!)
If you happy and u know then face will show, if you’re happy and you know say, ‘the football team.’” (the football team!)

After that fourth refrain, Gabby grew momentarily silent. Then she said, “Daddy take me to the football game.”

I had to grin. “Sorry sweetie, but there are no football games right now. The football team is night night.”

Her reply was a bit distressed, “I want to go to the football game.”

“Well, maybe one day we’ll go to the …… baseball game! Would you like to go to a baseball game.”

Pause. “Uh-huh.” (translation, if that’s all there is).

Yes, I have created a monster.

Explore posts in the same categories: Family