It happened today. Elle asked me over text message if Santa was real.

I called her shortly after seeing her text messages and told her that as long as she believes in Santa, then he is real.

She said she kinda does and kinda doesn’t. And then over dinner she told me she was going to ask Santa for a laptop for Christmas.

Now I need a fucking Santa! Laptops are expensive.

I love to laugh. Even better is hearing other people laugh. Often it is either at my own expense or by using adult humor.

But sometimes, and by sometimes I mean rarely, can I do it using elementary school humor.

This can only be verified by hearing a kid laugh hard. And I mean hard! You know, the guttural hearty laugh that kids can’t fake.

Elle: [brushing her hair] My hair is so knotty.

Me: Then tell it to behave.

Elle: [guttural hearty laugh that kids can't fake]

I want to hear it more often. So please, for my heart to smile, send silly jokes. Otherwise I’ll have to resort to tickling. And Elle will get sick of it really quick.

My kid is amazing. She has a talent of making snap decisions about really tough things. Like which earrings look better. Or which shoes I should wear.

So, like most mornings, I needed her opinion as I was racing out the door for work.

Me: Does this blouse show too much for work?
Elle: No mom. It looks fine.
Me: [kneeling down so my cleavage was at Elle's eye level] Are you sure?
Elle: Yes mom. You look cute.

As a female with a rack, what I see when looking down always looks more revealing than the view from the front.

So we left the house.

Once I got to the office, I caught a glimpse of this shirt in a reflection. Here’s what I saw:

Either my kid was in a rush and wanted to get to school, thought I changed professions or needs glasses.

I’m completely thankful for safety pins. This one saved my career. Or at least, my reputation. (But probably ruined my reputation of having a little style.)