Tikkabik

So my mom watched the kids yesterday, and kept them occupied by making cookies. I had a mix for some oatmeal chocolate chip cookies in the cupboard, and she used it. After she was done and they'd cooled, she'd placed the cookies in a big plastic bag. I had a couple last night when Bonnie and I got back. They were good.

This morning was fairly routine -- we got the older two kids onto the bus and Bonnie and I went about our usual business -- I went downstairs to the office and Bonnie went off to her iMac to check e-mail and then to do other work around the house. James, as usual, was left to watch Max & Ruby on TV.

In the space of about a half an hour, James managed to eat one entire bag of oatmeal and chocolate chip cookies, and was fast at work on the second bag when I popped into the kitchen to pour myself a second cup of coffee.

James just stared at me, eyes big as plates.

"James, how many cookies have you had?"

"Two," he said, hands outstretched, fingers splayed, showing me both hands, now smeared with chocolate chip stains.

Then, after a moment, he thrust them forward again, blinking.

"And two."

Again.

"And two."

"And two."

"And two."