first fruits

Aleph is the original No! boy. He says no-I-didn't! even if he did have a good time. He says no-I-won't! even while he's doing exactly what you asked. The other day I tried not to laugh, watching him struggle to change no into yes when offered chocolate pudding. "N-... ny-... yo."

So we're walking two of our other lunch guests to the door, and somebody asks Aleph if he wants to say goodbye to Julie and Shai. Naturally he says no.

"That's okay," Shai jovially says. "I'm going to say goodbye to Julie and Shai." He waves. "Goodbye, Julie and Shai!"

Aleph gets a concerned look on his face. "Uh... that might be a little weird if you say it to yourself."