Big. Red. Balls.

Clearly, the people responsible for designing Target stores have never had preschool aged children. If they had, they may have thought twice about lining the front of their stores with big red balls. I understand their purpose, but why big red balls? I know, I know . . . big red balls sort of resemble their logo, a flat red target. And by "sort of" I mean that the color is the same and they are both generally circular. Sort of like how the sun and an electric burner are the same - they are both hot and generally circular.

I digress . . . my point is that if those designers had come up with something else, I wouldn't have to hear this conversation during our weekly visits to Target.

17-month old son: (Upon seeing the balls) BAAAALLLLLLLLLLL!! BAAAALLLLLL!! BAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLL!! (This will continue until I acknowledge he has spoken about the balls.)

Me: Yes, those are balls.

2 1/2 year old daughter: Mama, look at those balls!

Son: BAAAAALLLLLL!! BAALLL! BAAAAAAAALLLL!

Me: Yep, look at those balls.

Daughter: Those are RED balls!

Son: BAAAAALLLLLLL!! BAAAAALLLLLL!!

Me: Yes, those are red balls.

Daughter: Mama, those are BIG RED BALLS!

Our little procession from the parking lot to the store is often very amusing to people, particularly teenage boys. I must admit, I find it pretty amusing as well, but sometimes I just don't want to hear about big red balls over and over again. Then I wonder if there will ever be a time when I grow up enough and don't laugh at things like "BIG RED BALLS!" I don't think I ever want to be that grown up.

After all, if I were that grown up, I couldn't laugh every time my daughter says, "Schwing-nex" rather than Kleenex. Sometimes I deliberately ask her "What's this?" while holding a Kleenex just to hear her say "Schwing-nex" and giggle a little.

Huh-huh . . . she just said "schwing."