Because the photo is not time stamped, I’ll let you know that this picture was taken at approximately 7:30 P.M. (only one hour until bedtime).  I should also let you know that the beverage Little H is hovering over like that creature from Lord of the Rings that always repeats “My Precious” is a Cherry Coke Slurpee. 

I know, I know.  Some of you reading this are saying to yourselves, “Megan has been so adamant about keeping her daughter away from soda and there she goes breaking her own rules.”  My response is (a) Slurpees are exempt from soda status because they are so delicious and are essential to summertime survival, (b) I had a killer headache and caffeine is like medicine because it makes the ibuprofen work faster, (c) I only meant to give her a taste-I didn’t know the addicting effects would take place so fast, (d) if she’s going to experiment with drugs, I’d rather her do it at home, under my supervision, than at a friend’s house, and (e) I’m the mom.

This does not give anyone the excuse to give her carbonated beverages of any kind in my absence.  (I’m on to you, Dad.)  If anything, this story should serve as a warning as to what can happen when we let our guards down.

I probably should have included pictures of the living room, our bedroom and her bedroom in the aftermath, but needless to say, things were displaced, things were broken, and things were lost forever.  Fortunately, none of those things were human or dog.  We all survived, and emerged wiser and more cautious.