Tattoo me!

While wandering through the mall yesterday, Simone, hubby and little B came across a perfume promotion. The promo included tattoos for any and all interested.

"Do you want a tattoo?" The black-haired, cropped t-shirt wearing chick behind the counter asked little B.

Little B's reply was mostly incomprehensible. He ran around the cosmetics counter and dashed over to a jewelry display where he tried on several bracelets.

Simone explained to the little guy, who'd never worn a tattoo before, that tattoos were similar to stickers and that they had a big bee tattoo if he was interested.

"Bee?" He asked. "Like little B?"

Simone laughed, "Sort of."

And little B took his mother's hand as they headed back to the tattoo stand.

"Where do you want your sticker?" The tattoo girl asked little B.

Little B lifted his sweater, exposing his belly with a shy grin.

"Okee dokee," said tattoo girl, and handed Simone the tattoo and a wet sponge. Simone dutifully placed the tattoo face down on little B's belly but the wet sponge was a tough sell. It was, after all, winter...

Little B wriggled and tried to get away. Simone kept a death grip on his arm and on the sponge. Eventually, the requisite 30 minutes elapsed.

"Look!" Simone said, pointing to little B's belly.

His eyes wide, little B looked down on his decorated middle section and grinned. "Tattoo!" He shouted. "Again!" He ordered tattoo girl.

"Not again," said Simone. "When this one fades, we'll give you a new one."

"Okay," little B said equably. He raced to an unsuspecting pair of shoppers. "Look!" He flashed his belly. "Tattoo!" He added helpfully.

Sigh... Let's hope this is just a passing phase...