We are all playing in the playroom. TheMonk, Swee’Pea, Mommy and Daddy are all on the floor playing with whatever toy happens to be within reach. TheMonk is playing with his cars while Swee’Pea flits around the room from toy to toy.

Finally, Swee’Pea settles on a toy that only recently has found it’s way into the current rotation. The corn popper push toy has teased and tantalized for a couple of months since Grandmother bought it for them on one of her visits. Since they didn’t walk when we first got it, it has sat unused. Now, however, it has become more and more played with.

Swee’Pea pushes the toy around the room. Her creativity with the popper toy is something to be admired. Not just content to push the toy around the room she also pulls it. She walks forward, backward, side to side, and in circles – all while keeping the toy popping.

All of this popping has grabbed the attention of a little boy who has been quietly playing with his own toys. Having recently been on the short end of many toy “sharing” transactions with his sister, he is wary of entering into any agreement with her that will result in unpleasant shrieking. Still, the popper looks like a fun toy and, boy, would he like to play with it.

Deciding to go with the casual, non-chalant approach, he saunters over to where we are gathered. Mommy and Daddy have been admiring Swee’Pea’s popping ability and are poised perfectly to see TheMonk’s next move.

TheMonk, knowing that Swee’Pea loves a good summersault, plants his head on the floor, butt in the air, and waits for Mommy to tumble him over. After being tumbled he scampers to his feet while he watches a very predictable Swee’Pea plant her head on the ground waiting for Mommy to tumble her in her very own summersault. As Mommy engages Swee’Pea in her summersault, TheMonk swoops in, snatches up the popper and retreats with a series of pops leading the way. Swee’Pea is too busy to notice her toy has been swiped. She is too caught up with Mommy and insists Mommy keep tumbling her, by now forgetting all about her beloved toy.

And, that is just what the sneakly little Monk had in mind. His little smirk hiding his glee as he leaves with his desired toy. Payback, Sis, has been sweet.