Retro Slang

Isabel has taken to using the expression, "Oh, drat!" If I say, "Isabel, it's time to get dressed for school," or "Isabel, it's swim lessons day," I can count on a hearty "Oh, drat!" in reply. I keep expecting Linus or Peppermint Patty to walk in at any moment and call me a blockhead.

Happily, she had no cause to drat anything on Saturday. At 7:30 am she presented me with the invitations she'd written to all the dogs in the neighborhood. Yes, dogs. She informed me that we'd be having a birthday party for Hunter (our long-suffering, mixed breed terrier) that day. This required that we drive around the neighborhood, delivering invitations to mailboxes, as well as a trip to Kroger, to purchase doggie ice cream and other treats.

Isabel's invitations stipulated that the dogs must bring a gift for the birthday boy. I sent out a hasty email to their humans: NO GIFTS ARE ACTUALLY NECESSARY. But I added that yes, the invitations were for real, and please let me know if you think your dog will be attending. I expected a lot of no's. When will I ever learn?

Out of five dogs invited, four showed up. There was Marky the Chihuahua, Bailey the Golden Retriever, Lupe the Westie and Finnegan the Standard Poodle. Isabel devised party games for the people (she'd invited the kid owners, too), and placed the doggie dixie cups (gussied up with bones and walnuts on top) on a platter. She led the guests in a rousing version of "Happy Birthday to You."

I now see no need to plan her next birthday party. Clearly, she can do this herself. But if I tell her that, do you know what she'll say?

"Oh, drat!"