**update**

As Peter and I were going through his schoolwork in the basement, Derek came running down laughing at some pictures he took. Apparently, he upgraded the hat:

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Sometimes I wonder if antics like this are done just for the sole purpose of delaying the start of school. When I walk into the room and see this, what else can I do but grab the camera in a fit of giggles and take pictures?

I think Molly has been observing the kids taking turns wearing the spaceman-egghead hat because she was surprisingly not bothered in the least to have it strapped on her head.

As I was clicking away, Ruthie walked into the room.

She had a waffle in her hand.

And in the blink of an eye (or the click of a camera), it was gone.

Teaches me a lesson:  When Mom is distracted, 1. toddlers get down from their chairs and walk around the house with food in their hands, and 2. dogs with silly hats eat any and all people food within reach.

Time to put the camera away and start school now.