Homing Devices

I think Kaylin puts a homing device in every craft project, torn out coloring page and every single item she brings home from church or preschool. Frankly - she puts a homing device on everything she owns. Why do I say this? I don't think I'm alone here. I think you other parents will agree if you've ever tried to hide anything from your child (for the express purpose of throwing it away later). Kids use the homing device to locate the item and insuring that you can't throw it away for at least a week (or until they forget about it again). For example - the other day James and I found Kaylin's Valentine goodie bag under the bed. The goodies have long been removed, the bag is partially ripped and it really only now holds other items that also need to go in the trash. James says to me: "We can throw that out." I reply: "I know but I can't do that in front of you-know-who." (Because you-know-who will use the homing device, pull it from the trash can, and exclaim in a dramatic voice "WHY did you throw my bag away?") I have to hide it, wait until after she goes to bed and then bury it deep in the trash can. The problem with this scenario is that my memory isn't that long. By the time she goes to bed, I've completely forgotton to discard the bag. The next morning - the homing device has been activated, she finds the bag and treats it as a long lost favorite item. She then proceeds to pack "stuff" into it that she "needs" to take with her on our planned road trip. Sigh! If only my memory was longer...if only I was better at hiding things...if only kids didn't have those evil homing devices.