One of the great things (out of many, many great things) about having a child who’s learning the language is rediscovering how fun words are. Pineapple is a good example. Say it out-loud: “Pineapple!” Gotta admit, it’s fun to say. It also happens to be one of Hayes’s favorites. And can you blame him?

I mean, he likes to talk about apples (another fun word) and he enjoys saying “pine cone.” So imagine his joy when he found out that he could say “Pineapple.” And so what if that’s what he calls the Christmas tree? I mean, it’s more fun to say than Christmas tree, which incidentally he can also say.

It also makes for great conversation:

Hayes: “Wanna see pineapple! Wanna see pineapple! Wanna see pineapple, please!”

Bystander: “For godsake someone give that child a pineapple.”

Me: “Uh.. he just wants to see the Christmas tree.”

Hayes: “Wanna see lights on the pineapple too!”

So, I’ve been struggling about whether we actually just start calling the Christmas tree a pineapple. I mean, it’s fun to say, right? And the Christmas tree has been in need of a makeover for some time. How else can you explain those stupid upside down Christmas trees you hang from the ceiling?