Don't Talk with Your Mouth Full

Several weeks ago we were sitting at the table as a family enjoying a nice dinner. The conversations are pretty basic in our family, since our oldest is only 6, but they are always lively. There is usually ample competition to get the microphone, so to speak.

Our four year-old son jumped in on the conversation with his usual zeal. He usually tells us about his exploits playing Lego Star Wars, what Lego Star Wars character he wants to buy next, or that "so and so" just got the new Lego Star Wars game--you get the idea. But the whole time he is talking, his mouth is stuffed with pepperoni pizza, and I mean stuffed. None of us had a clue what he was saying, while he chomped and sputtered on.

Finally, my wife couldn't take it any more. "Reid! Don't talk with your mouth full!" she said. Without missing a beat he expelled a huge wad of pizza into his hand and continued talking, the whole time with that large ball of chewed pizza sitting in his palm. All I could do was laugh. I had to admire his simple, but effective resolution to the problem.