On a recent night I was alone downstairs with the kids.  I think Jacob and I were watching a football game while Shelby played a computer game nearby.

When Shelby’s bedtime came I went over and kneeled to watch the game she was playing for a minute.  When she finished the game she leaned over, put her arms around my neck and gave me the best hug she’d ever given me.  I said something like, “Wow!  I sure wasn’t expecting to get such a great hug right now!”

Very matter-of-factly, she said, “I’m just looking for transportation.”

I pulled back and we looked silently at each other’s face for a moment while I tried to figure out what in the world she was talking about.  This is not an uncommon situation in our house.  We often ask her to translate into English the language of whatever alternate reality she currently inhabits.

It turns out that she was simply tired and ready for bed, and was looking for an easy way to get out of the high-armed chair she was sitting in at the computer.  She figured if she latched onto my neck, when I stood up I would automatically lift her up and out of the chair.  Transportation.  She started giggling as she explained it to me, realizing how funny it was that I mistook her scheming for a simple hug.

We shared a good laugh and I let her ride piggyback upstairs to her room.  So my seven-year old daughter successfully used false affection on her hapless father in order to gain transportation.  I never would’ve imagined anything like this could happen.  I mean, at least not until she turns sixteen.