About two years ago my son, Aiden, received "Bob the Builder's" Scoop under the Christmas tree. It's the big, yellow crane that speaks those joyful phrases whenever the moment strikes it. His smile was so beautiful and lit up the room when he saw it. I knew Scoop was is the sweetest gift for him and he loves it very much. Aiden watches Bob the Builder every afternoon and he adores Scoop. They play every single day in the yard or even in the tub. Sometimes, he even has me tuck Scoop into bed with him at night. It seemed so perfect but now I know the truth....this 'toy' is actually a colourfully disguised evil presence, hell bent on providing me sleepless nights for the rest of it's unnatural life. This crane has THE worst timing to announce things like "let's play", "good job!" and "can you dig it". For instance, when my children�s cat was lost, Scoop announced a very enthusiastic "good job!" during mommy's "I'm so sorry" speech. Aiden sobbed even harder, I wanted to smash Scoop even harder. He also tends to speak up during those big arguments I'm having with my teenagers. This ruins what little hope I have of them actually listening and retaining what I tell them. Of course my two oldest think this is hilarious. I was hoping maybe Scoop would accidentally lose it's batteries. It did, sadly Aiden replaced them. Since when do 4-year-olds know how to use a screw driver? We even had to moved it the other end of the house, downstairs, so I could sleep through the night ..... bad idea. It was a dark, stormy, eerie, cold night. Okay, so actually it was closer to 2:00 am, and it wasn't stormy or cold. The house wasn't even eerie, until I heard a voice. It hushed, whispered again, then stopped. Assuming it was one of the children I rose to help them. I went to check their beds, thinking to myself "please let the other two still be asleep, please". All three were sound asleep in bed, I'll admit some panic was setting in now. Hearing the voice again, I quickly grabbed my phone to dial 911 and headed for the stairs. The voice fell silent again. I listened but to no avail. I decided to head down and take a quick look, thumb on the dial button of course. There was still no voice until, seeing no one, I rounded the corner, tiptoeing, now half way into the living room........ CAN YOU DIG IT!! Scoop. NO, I can't, I most definitely can not and never will dig it!! Another sleep free night. Needless to say I was glad I didn't call the police. Can you imagine the embarrassment! �Help, Help!!! Someone's broke into my home!!! Reduced to frightened tears at the sight of Scoop. "Ma'am, can you describe them?" A sincerely worried 911 operator. "Yes, he's yellow, someone was calling him scoop, he's about a foot and a half tall and kept repeating can you dig it and let's play over and over and over and over!!!" A wild and erratic me, remember 'he' drove me to this. "Um, I'll send an officer and an ambulance right over, just stay caaaalm" A confused and now very worried 911 operator. That's ok, I've always liked the pretty quilted walls and the beautiful fitted white blazer I get after those calls. What's that? They're padded? Since then, Scoop has spent many nights buried deep, deep within the toy box. I will not fall prey to this 'toy's' tricks again. Besides, soon there will be a life without Scoop ............. soon. Update; March 29, 2006 - Scoop, our beloved toy, had led a hard but, well played, life. After his long battle with several cars and the trash can he fell victim to the Battery Crisis of 2005. My father and oldest son spent many long tear-filled nights attempting to save him (well, more like planning). But it is with our deepest regrets we were unable to save his uni-body and upgrade him into a solar hybrid. Farewell dear Scoop, Aiden misses you. ©08-2004,10-2006 M., Colette "Life with Scoop" ****************************************************************** This was an old, yet true, short story I found buried in my drawer. Although it brought back many vivid memories I forced myself to update it, lol. My daughter insisted it belonged under humour. I beg to differ, creatures would have been suiting or maybe 'things parents give our children to cast revenge on us'. Do we have that catagory? Hope you enjoy ;).