Liar, Liar Pants on Fire

The Mud Puddle is all about Christmas. Because really what four year old isn’t? But the fall out from his excitement has left me seriously befuddled.

When asked what he would like to get from Santa, he stated matter of factly: a castle, a drum set and a blue and orange fish. Now the first two I have covered, the last one… I had no idea what he was talking about. So to clarify I asked where Santa could find the blue and orange fish and did it DO anything. He replied that it was at Toys R US with the other fish and it talks. Mmmmkay…

So I head over to Toys R Us to look for this fish, which I had no recollection of having seen before either at a store or advertised anywhere and usually I have my finger on the pulse (or like to think that I do). I literally walked up and down every aisle of that stupid toy store and there was not ONE fish (blue and orange or otherwise) in the joint. *SIGH*

That evening we were going for a hair cut and to pick up a birthday present for one of his chums. We hit the local Target and I decided while I had him with me I would try the fish hunt again. We walked up and down every aisle in the toy department all the while me peppering him with questions, “how big is it?”, “was it in a box?” (my version of the Spanish Inquisition I guess).
When we came to the last aisle I decided my blood pressure had taken enough of a beating thanks to the allusive fish and so I said to him, “If Santa can’t find the fish, is there something else you would like instead of it?”

And then he dropped the bomb: “There is no blue and orange fish, I was lying Mommy.”
Excuse me, WHHHAATTTTTT????

Why in the name of Kris Kringle would you LIE about a potential Christmas present and then admit it???? I am the same mother who found the only Pterodactyl costume in North America, I am the same mother who had sketched out a sloth costume to make from scratch. If there is something he asks for, I deliver. I had a back up plan in place but I still hadn’t Googled for the fish, there were still options.
And why would your first lie be about a PRESENT???

I couldn’t even get mad at him, I was so confused about what had transpired in his mind, the initial lie itself – where did it come from and why did it continue for a week getting bigger as it went; as well as the decision to confess it – was he afraid he would be one present short if he continued with the lie?

I walked around Target in a daze after that. Half talking to myself and half talking to him. It was just such a bizarre moment, his first lie but a totally wasted one. Part of me, in hindsight, thinks he was just taking the piss. Wanting to see how far Santa and I would go to make the fish ‘happen’. I am not sure he is that devious but he is the master of pushing my buttons.

He asked me not to tell Daddy, but of course I did, I had to. Just to make sure I wasn’t completely crazy in my reaction. And to let him know that lies were afoot.

I already have a personalized letter from Santa coming which makes reference to the fish, and I am not sure if I will continue to look for one just to prove a point or just let it go. Tis the season after all!