The Great Sock Mystery...

So here's the thing.... My kids are now seven and nine, and they've gotten to the age where their curiosity is off the charts. One day, I'm putting on my socks when one of them asks why I have so many pairs of identical gray socks in my drawer.... And it hit me... it was time for an explanation or something.... So, I decide to go with a playful story about how these were a gift from a secret admirer who's been sending them every month for years. They thought this was hilarious and asked if they could have their own secret admirers too.... But then came the kicker..... They wanted me to send gifts as well, not just receive them... And that's when I had my doubts about this whole thing...... Instead of explaining how difficult it would be for kids to keep such a big secret like sending gifts anonymously, I went with another story, claiming that their admirers were magical fairies who could only leave things during the night while they slept..... Fast forward a few weeks later... my younger one was playing in the backyard and decided to hide some of his toys under a bush. He was telling me about it excitedly, so I asked what he was hiding.... And there's where my mind went blank...... I realized with horror that if he was doing this now... they might start leaving things for their secret admirers!...... It hadn't occurred to me at the time how quickly kids could turn around ideas and put them into practice. Now, don't get me wrong.... I still wouldn't have it any other way. Their innocence and imagination are precious gifts that we parents should cherish... but man, did I not see this coming......