Neighbor News
April Fools
Whether your April Fools pranks went well or flopped, you'll enjoy Dr. Litrel's recollection of trying to pull a big prank off on his boys.
The year my sons were seven and ten, I asked for my wife Ann’s help playing an April Fools’ joke on them.
Sunrise on the big day found me crawling like a Ninja across the floor of my eldest son Tyler’s bedroom. With barely a sound, I rolled on to my back and shifted my body directly beneath his bed. I took a deep breath, and then, using all my strength, began shaking the entire bed frame.
Ann’s timing was perfect. She burst into the bedroom. “Tyler!” she shouted. “Get up! It’s an earthquake – it’s an earthquake! Go downstairs – HURRY!”
Find out what's happening in Cummingfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Tyler hardly moved. “It’s okay, Mom,” he mumbled, still half asleep. “It’s just Dad under my bed.”
I was demoralized, with only bruised knees and a scraped back from my efforts. But it was not going to be for nothing. Nursing my wounded pride, I hushed Ann and went to the next room. “Let’s try it on Joseph.”
Find out what's happening in Cummingfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
But by the time I had crawled under Joseph’s bed, Ann reported that Joseph was smiling, his eyes closed, pretending to sleep.
Luckily, I had prepared a backup trick the night before. I’d slid a rubber band around the kitchen sink nozzle so it would spray as soon as the water came on. It pointed up to the exact spot for dousing whichever of my beloved offspring washed his hands first.
Tyler came downstairs still half asleep.
“Would you please wash your hands before you eat,” I reminded him. It was hard to hide the eagerness in my voice. I watched Tyler as he came to the sink and reached for the soap. He stopped, looked at the faucet, and yawned.
“You know, Dad,” he said with a trace of patronization, “if you use scotch tape, it won’t show as much.”
I wasn’t in the mood for advice. “Just be quiet, and let’s wait for Joseph,” I replied testily.
“AAUGHH!” screeched Ann. Oops. While I was distracted, Annie had turned on the water. Her pajamas were soaked. I apologized profusely, but Ann was not amused.
Well, at least I’d gotten someone.
But my real quarry was Tyler. He was just too cocky for his own good. Read more...
About Michael Litrel, MD, FACOG, FPMRS
Dr. Litrel is a urogynecological and female reconstructive cosmetic surgeon who is double board certified in the subspecialty Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery and Obstetrics and Gynecology. He has been in private practice at Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists since 1997.
