January 10, 2007

Just Because II

(Well actually just because the Missus told me not to.....)

One of the presents the newly seven year old Llama-ette is getting for her birthday is a new bike. The bike currently sits (unassembled) in a box in the garage.

A question has sprung up over whether the Llama-ette should be given the bike in its unassembled form now (today being her actual birthday), or whether said bike should be kept under wraps until it can be put together and given her on Saturday (after her party and when she is opening her other presents). I argue the latter, the Missus the former.

In a just-concluded telephonic conference, my position was that giving a seven year old a box but telling her she can't have what's inside for another three days is cruel. The Missus said the gel is old enough to appreciate the thought of having the thing now and to understand that she wouldn't be able to ride until the weekend anyway owing to school and whatnot. She also noted that it would be nice for the gel to get her new helmet (which goes with the bike) now.

Perhaps unwisely, I seized on the second point, facetiously stating that perhaps the gel could put on the helmet, sit on the box and pretend she was riding her new bike. I offered that we could even dig out a fan to blow air into her face, thereby simulating the wind.

Questions:

A) Who is right about the bike?

B) How foolish was I to give into the urge to be flippant?

C) How much more foolish am I being by telling you all this?

Discuss.

UPDATE: Just in case you were wondering, the bike was, in fact, delivered last evening. And while it wasn't assembled, the Llama-ettes got to pull the bits out of the box and fiddle with them while the Missus tactfully played up what a nice project it will be for the seven year old to help Daddy put the thing together this weekend. For her part, I have to say that the 7 Y.O. was genuinely excited.

And no, I didn't have to sleep on the sofa. After many years together, the Missus has come simply to ignore me when she thinks I'm being ridiculous. The only thing I can't figure out is why she still even bothers asking me my opinion in the first place.

Posted by Robert at January 10, 2007 05:27 PM | TrackBack
Comments

5 Bucks says if you tell her about the bike today, Thursday afternoon you will have been required to build it for her to ride, or deal with incessant nagging.

Good Luck!

Posted by: Big Mac w/ an Egg at January 10, 2007 05:48 PM

A) You.
B) Very.
C) My guess is you'll be building that bike today.

Posted by: Rachel at January 10, 2007 05:56 PM

1. The Missus.
2. If you need to ask...
3. You can sleep on our couch tonight, need be.

Posted by: Steve the LLamabutcher at January 10, 2007 06:00 PM

Argue, be smart or anything else but you do know you are going to do whatever your wife wants and when she wants it, don't you! And of course you will be building the bike tonight.....expect pictures in tomorrow's post.

Posted by: LeeAnn at January 10, 2007 06:07 PM

Personally, I thought the whole sitting on the box thing was a good idea.

But that's just my sense of humor.

Posted by: GroovyVic at January 10, 2007 06:30 PM

Rachel thoroughly nailed this one.

1) You're right, and I'm speaking from the perspective of a former kid.

2) Yes, very foolish, and one way or another you're going to have to atone. Which leads, ineluctably, to

3) the bike will be ready well before the party.

Posted by: utron at January 10, 2007 06:47 PM

I choose Rachel's answer.

You forgot D) and the answer is both flowers and candy.

Posted by: rbj at January 10, 2007 07:40 PM

#1. You
#2. Now, in addition to the gel not getting her bike until Saturday, daddy may not be getting a ride until at least then either. (he-haw)
#3. See #2

Posted by: Uncle Tim at January 10, 2007 07:48 PM

Agree with all the above. The concept is nice, but does NOT usually work. (Have had it done to me.) Understand that you don't want to have the kid feel let down on the actual BD...but making the kid wait is cruel. You MUST let us know the outome!!! Did your daughter handle it as the wife predicted?

My parents gave me a ring for Christmas a couple of weeks early...so they could enjoy my reaction in case something were to happen to them...or me.

All that being said, agreement with the spouse is very important. RBJ's Choice D applies as well, though I think you deserve them in the end (and I'm of the female variety!!!).

Posted by: J&B at January 11, 2007 08:30 AM

"The only thing I can't figure out is why she still even bothers asking me my opinion in the first place."

Because she was raised properly.

Posted by: Mrs. Peperium at January 11, 2007 02:21 PM