When Loren was almost eleven he came to me one day and gravely said, “Mom, I know you’re the Easter Bunny. I also know you’re Santa Clause and the Tooth Fairy.” He paused here and I awaited what I thought might be accusations about betrayal. Instead he wrapped me in a hug and exclaimed, “Thank you, Mom! Thank you so much! All these years it was you! How did you do it? We always got everything we wanted! And I know sometimes you couldn’t have afforded it. You’re the best!”

Over the weekend Cass cornered me in the kitchen and said, “I know all about you. How you’re the Easter Bunny and Santa and the Tooth Fairy.” This time I really waited for the shit to fly. Her take went a little bit like this, “So, here’s the deal. Now that I know, I want in. Tonight I want to do the baskets, stuff the eggs, plan the treasure hunt. After all, you want to keep Devon in the dark about it, right?”

One is pure in spirit and the other an extortionist. I’m raising them right.