Who knew PBS could be a bad influence?

Lila and I were driving home from the video store last night. She had just rented a movie with her own money - a whole $2.00 - when she pipes up from the back seat "I know a way to get more money."

"Really, how?" I asked. Secretly, I was starting to swell with pride. My little baby was going to do some chores and earn her money. She'd pick up a few toys, maybe wash the kitchen table or windows. It didn't matter, she was learning the value of hard work. What a smart girl.

"Well," she starts "First I need to get a dress and cut some holes in it, then I have to stand on a corner and say (affecting a falsetto) 'Oh dear, I haven't any money. Whatever will I do?!' "

"Lila Grace! Where on earth did you get an idea like that?" I'm really trying to be stern and not laugh.

"On Arthur. DW did it." She says

"That's a cartoon, and you're a real girl. That idea is not safe or honest. You need to find a different way to earn money." I tell her.

"It would work." She says, a little disapointed.

Smart girl, indeed.