Ellie has three adorable friends over playing.

They agreed that colouring was the best pastime to be able to both eat cantaloupe and wait for the rain to pass before rushing outside.

The colouring started as a great idea with friends sharing markers and discussing their artful inspirations.

I walked out of the room to make a bed and returned to, “Mommy, you are going to judge our colouring. The winner gets a check mark.”

Friend 1: But then four people don’t win?

Friend 2: Okay, everyone gets a check mark but the winner gets two check marks.

This seemed reasonable to the group. Check mark = we are all winners.

Friend 3: You get points if you use your imagination.

Friend 2: And you get more points if you use more colours.

Ellie: And you get more points if you colour more things.

“Mommy, what are the things you want to see on the colouring page?”

A bed that’s made. That is what I want to see.

Ellie: And you get more points if the sun is shining and it’s a nice day in your picture.

Friend 1: And you get more points if you don’t spill crumbs or canteloupe on the page.

In a world where check marks are king, it remains unclear how these bonus points will be factored into the finals.

Ellie: And the winner gets a sucker.

No.

Ellie: And the winner gets a check mark.

Friend: But then four people don’t get any check marks?

Ellie: And the winner gets two check marks.

Second verse, same as the first.

The group once again agreed on their original two check mark ruling to identify the winner but the single check mark indicating some form of winning for all.

The rain has stopped.

Suckers for everyone!