Safety First

I mentioned a little "Circus Factoid" to my friends this weekend and, at their urging, I'm sharing it with the universe. At this moment, I have sixteen fire safety posters in my house, in various stages of completion and display. Two or three feature EDITH (which, for those not current with the lingo, stands for Exit Drills In The Home), one boasts an escape plan replete with windows we don't actually have in our home, and several star a famous little box-shaped robot soaring above the Towering Inferno with his fire extinguisher. These posters have become the go-to activity in our house. Need a little break? Draw a fire safety poster. See something exciting on television? Go add it to a fire safety poster. Want to show your love for someone? Make them a fire safety poster. This week I picked up Mr. Fire Safety after what was apparently a tough day. I hear, in the most dejected little voice, "I love you so much, Mom. I want to make you a fire safety poster." Two days later, after an exponentially better day, I hear, "Mom! I got five basketballs! I'm going to draw you a FIRE SAFETY POSTER!" He was in such a great mood that I thought I'd take a chance: "So, buddy, maybe you could draw me a camping poster, instead, and show me all of the great things that you did on your campout?" His response: "Sure, Mom! I'd love to add a nice roaring campfire to my fire safety poster."


No dice. And still, there has to be a limit, right? I mean, how many fire safety posters can one boy make?


Stupid question.


Not fifteen seconds ago, I was just informed by a little naked person, "while I'm waiting for my shower water to heat up, I think I'll work on my fire safety poster."


Okay, then . . .