the big yellow easter egg

awkward conversation with 4.5 year old, # 37.

max: i might eat my big yellow easter egg when we get home.
me: ummm..... (and thinking, EEEEK, you mean the one i ate on the sly last week??!)
max: yep, it's in the treat box, and that's what i am going to eat when we get home.
me: oh? i hadn't noticed it? i wonder if it's still there? (and thinking, EEEEEK, how can he remember this stuff???)
max: it'll be there, i've been saving it.
me: oh.

we arrive home a while later... and i'm hoping that max's short term memory has taken a turn for the worse.

max: now, let's get down the treat box.
me: (under my breath) dammit...

after a short spell of searching (feigned on my part, and VERY real on max's) i realise that honesty is now the only option.

me: (taking a big deep breath) max, i ate the egg. i am sorry. you can be cross with me if you like.
max: (with tears welling...) that's okay...

we bought a kinder surprise egg today, to make up for things. kinder surprises are on the banned list in our house (complete waste of money) but it seemed like a good alternative to the real easter version, and max was stoked. phew!