Maturity is Overrated.

They say age is just a number, but 

maturity is a choice.

There is a new game in our house at the moment - no, not like table soccer, although the kids are loving that right now too.

It's "Scare people with the toy spider".

We have this little plastic spider which looks surprisingly real, especially if partly hidden or placed on a dark background. A few days ago I came across it in the hallway and yes, there was a moment when I wondered whether it was the toy one or not. I very casually leaned down and picked it up by one leg with an outward appearance of supreme nonchalance, but if it had wriggled I'm sure I would have screamed like a little girl and jumped a metre into the air!

The only reason I knew it was probably not real is that I've been seeing my kids trying to trick each other with the same spider for days now ... every now and then our Cavegirl will stomp out of her room waving the spider angrily at her brothers while she lectures them about not leaving it on her pillow/in her wardrobe/under her bed for her to find. 

Of course, the culprit is always easily identified - the boy in question is usually so proud of their handiwork, he can't help but grin broadly and claim responsibility (which is inevitably followed by laughter and  a congratulatory high five from his brother).

Even the Caveman got in on the act, leaving the spider in the dish rack next to the sink yesterday in the hope that it would frighten me when I went to wash the dishes. Luckily, again, I realised immediately that it was a fake. 

Which brings us back to maturity - a choice my man is not a fan of. We seem to go through the "fake spider" phase every couple of years and he enjoys it even more than the kids do. I've seen him scare a number of people by leaving the toy on a chair for them to find. He doesn't discriminate either - he's done it to family, friends and even people we barely know! 

It's at those times I shake my head and wonder how I came to be married to such a juvenile man . Then I find myself wondering just how he'd react if I happened to slip the spider into his side of the bed tonight? 

Hmm ....  after all, I can't let him have all the fun ;-)