Pinky Promise?

Pinky promise...what is that? I had never known until recently, my littlest kiddo was in some serious trouble. (not beyond the norm for her) She did a very naughty thing, even though my vehicle automatically locks while we are driving, she likes to play with the door locks and handles and while I was on the FREEWAY, my car "dinged" at me that a door was indeed being opened. Of course I was furious with this angelic being I have been given parental responsibilities for and I pulled over to assess the situation. I also assured her of her demise upon reaching our home. She was beside herself with dread...(oooh I remember those days-DAD) Anyhow, as she disembarked from the car, she had tears streaming down her little face and while she sobbed she was fiddling with her hand, trying to do something with her fingers. I said, "What is wrong with your hand?" She succeeded in making sure all of her fingers were clenched except her pinky, she held it up to my face and through her tears said "pinky promise?" I was quite confused and asked "Pinky promise?" She said, "I pinky promise I won't do it ever again mommy, now you have to do this too". So she continued to instruct me as to how to commence this pinky promise thing-you have to link your pinky fingers together and give them a good tug. Then you're all set, you don't have to spank the kid after that cuz they "pinky promised".

...So...a few days later, she was in trouble again. This time it wasn't her safety being compromised but it was at church-got caught running the aisles AGAIN, and this time DAD was the disciplinarian. So HE grabs her and is about to give her the lowdown how she's getting a you-know-what when she gets home and suddenly the waterworks gets maxed out. I slipped behind a corner and spied on them and watched the little hand working itself into the ever popular pinky promise position. As her hand reached up toward her daddy's face, I wondered what effect this would have on her situation. "PINKY PROMISE??? What's THAT???" her daddy's voice boomed. (as only his can) Her little voice, "If I pinky promise it means I won't ever do it again daddy". Suddenly, she was in his arms and he was howling with laughter...hhmmmm...maybe next time I go shopping and spend a little too much at my fave boutique I'll pull out the ol' pinky promise trick eh?