The other day, Annalie and I stopped for lunch at Subway (support Chuck by supporting the sponsors of Chuck!) at a shopping center where there was an outdoor dining area. It was quite pretty, with a pond surrounded by rocks and filled with water plants. We enjoyed watching the ducks while we ate.

When we’d finished eating and I told Annalie was time to go, she asked if she could go look at the pond for a minute. Eager to get back home, I said we should really get going. Annalie sweetly asked, “But don’t you want to take a picture of me over there on the rocks by the water, Mom? It’s so pretty!” I swear she actually batted her eyelashes at me.

It was clever, though. So I took a photo and rewarded her with a few extra minutes to watch the ducks.