Here are a few pictures of a conversation between Hadley and Jesse. Hadley’s talking to him about getting a pet. Note I wrote “talking” and not “asking.” This is because Hadley does not ask. She says things like, “I think it’s time we discuss the possibility of my getting a pet.”
I am not kidding.
She speaks with conviction and assurance.
She is sure to make eye contact so as to convince her dad that the message is in fact being received.
“Are you sure you know what you’re talking about, Dad? Have you checked all the facts? Done all your research? Looked deeeeeply into my blue eyes?” (I need to mention that this is the exact same face Jesse gives me when I start talking about needing new shoes. Or jeans. Or show him houses that I want to purchase.)
Jesse holds firm, however. Hadley will not be getting a pet. Still, you can see from the look on her face that she’s thinking, “This conversation is not over. We will resume again soon.” Yes, Hadley frequently uses the word “resume.” Lord, help me.
Don’t let Jesse fool you with his sternness. A few days after this conversation occurred, he came home from work and spoke quietly to me so Hadley couldn’t hear.
“I was at the Museum of Natural History for lunch,” he told me, “and they have caterpillars you can take care of and watch them turn into butterflies!”
Suddenly I felt as though I was looking at Hadley.
“We should get some for her birthday!”
My response – “Do butterflies attack yellow jackets? Can we buy a bigger house?”
For some reason I still got that look. I’ll have to talk to Hadley so she can tell me how she does it.
This is a great post! I laughed out loud! Hadley seems like quite the little girl. I bet she and I would get along well. I like girls with spunk and who can argue a point too. 🙂
And on a different note, our kids begged for a dog for a while…I had NO intention of getting them one…and then last summer my husband’s cousin got sent to Japan for 3 years and asked us to adopt their dog. He is a CRAZY 3 year old Viszla, and I can’t believe I said YES, but the kids love him dearly!
Thanks, Marcia! Hadley is something else, that’s for sure.
Your dog owning story scares me….I feel like it’s only a matter of time before the same thing happens to me. 🙂
Super cute story Callie. I love that they will “resume” the conversation later. LOL!
Thanks, Erin! I’m sure she got that word from Matthew! 🙂 Those two are co-conspirators, me thinks. 🙂
Jesse’s looks are priceless. And tell Hadley I am rooting for her. I don’t think Jesse stands a chance.
And I don’t know Marcia (above), but she is obviously a really cool person, because she has a Vizsla. I miss Junuh so much! But since I have decided we need to be a one-dog family, we need to wait until Casey is gone.
And Callie, I’m not sure if all Vizslas do this, but Junuh was a bug-attack-dog. He could corner and kill any flying insect in our house. So there you go.
Aren’t they a riot? I couldn’t take the pictures fast enough because I was laughing so hard. Those two are a hoot.
Corners bugs, huh? That’s one of the best arguments I’ve heard. Good thing Hadley doesn’t read these comments. 🙂
That was awesome. She sounds like a sharp shooter, just my kind of person. Glad to know your blog!
You and Hadley would get along fabulously, Hannah! Thanks so much for stopping by!
Adorable. Simply adorable. I personally vote for Hermit Crabs. Hadley could pick out her own cute shell for her crab. If both girls got one you could stage Hermit Crab races on the tile floor…always a good time! I’m with you Hadley! Hermit Crabs are just precursors to puppies.
You’re not helping a mother out, Nancy! 🙂
She sounds like my kind of gal. Let me know if she has any interest in teacup pigs. I’ve got a lot of ammunition in favor of teacup pigs, which I used to sway my wife…except that Oak Park does not allow swine of any kind. Go figure.
Good stuff as always Callie!
Meta those things are sooooooo cute! It’s just that I really like bacon….
You can buy triops eggs, and Hadley can hatch her own “dionsaurs.” The best (or worst) part is that they only live a few weeks, so there’s no long-term commitment. Just be sure to get extra eggs for multiple hatchings. We’ve done the egg/caterpillar/butterfly thing too, and it is also fun. You can let the butterflies go at the end, too, so no need to deal with tears when the animal dies.
Tatiana, the would LOVE triops eggs!
You are a good writer, Callie. Have you considered writing a book?
Thanks, Alissa! And thanks for stopping by!
does jesse always have a glass of wine when handling these conversations with you too? p.s. i vote for fish. our kids had fun with the betta fish. until i killed it. kindof.
Haha Alison! But now that you mention it…. 🙂
What a hoot! She really has that advanced vocabulary? It must be a riot at your house, listening to that every day. 😀
Hadley is adorable with all those earnest facial expressions. Great job of capturing the moment!
P.S. I can relate to both of Jesse’s ways of responding. That would be my husband to a T. The logical first response but then, later, (when you’re least expecting it) the soft-hearted desire to please. Gotta love ’em!
Aren’t those pictures a riot? I couldn’t let them go to waste without telling the story behind them.
PS – Hadley’s vocabulary freaks me out. 🙂