No One is Above the Law

In our family we have a little rule, you have to try something (food) at least three times before you can really say that you don't like it. This really helps to eliminate the "but I don't like it" comment every night at the dinner table. Plus, it helps Leah and me remember what the girls don't like.

A little background...

When I was young I used to walk across the street and through the apple orchard to my grandpa's house. On Indian summer evenings, Grandpa and I used to share a particularly tasty treat, sardines and saltine crackers. I've told the girls about those evenings and they have been asking me to buy sardines for some time now. The other day we were at the store and we finally remembered. And today was the day we decided to bust them out.

Claire and Hallie were excited when I took the sardines from the cupboard, but that excitement turned to disgust when I actually opened the can. Both had talked big about wanting to try the sardines, but neither was willing to take the first bite. Being intelligent and experienced older sisters, they both volunteered Audrey for the task of "first bite" to see what her reaction would be. Unable to object, Audrey promptly opened as the fork approached, and the other two waited in eager anticipation. Almost before she closed her mouth, Audrey's eyes squinted, her nose crinkled, and her tongue ejected the pea sized bite. Her ensuing spattering caused Claire and Hallie to break out in a nervous laugh. Then, after much prompting, I was finally able to get Claire and Hallie each to take a bite. Predictably, each spit the sardines out almost as quickly as they went in. But to my complete surprise, Hallie soon asked for another bite. I obliged. She ate it. She asked for another bite. I served it up. She ate it again.

As the two of us finished the can of sardines, Claire continued to insist that she loves sardines, but that she didn't want any right then. In addition, Leah continued to resist numerous requests that she try the sardines. Her disgust was so strong, that after finishing the can, rinsing it out, and placing it in the garbage, Leah demanded that I take the garbage out. Apparently even the smell was taunting her gag reflexes.

What was I to do. Leah knew about the rule, and she was clearly in violation. If the girls followed this example it wouldn't be long before they wouldn't eat anything. At that point the sardines were gone, so there was only one thing I could do, force Leah to make-out with me, sardine breath and all. So I did! In fact, I did it while she was on the phone with her sister, which promptly ended that phone call. Unfortunately for Leah, her defensive attempts to avoid sardine saliva only resulted in an increased sardine savor. On two or more occasions, she bit my tongue, upon which I would promptly draw back, but in the process the sardine slime was repeatedly scraped, by her teeth, from my tongue into her mouth. Sorry for the gory details, but the full effect is where the story is at. I was laughing hysterically, the girls were jumping all over us, and Leah had a look of total disgust/near vomiting. Needless to say that after such an encounter Leah had to brush, floss, rinse, and even take a shower. OK, she didn't shower, rinse, or floss, but she did brush.

I am so thankful that Leah and I have such a healthy relationship (sardines are full of protein you know). And just remember Leah, the next time some strange food enters the home, no one is above the law!