Two of Iris’s Christmas/birthday presents (I’ve already completely forgotten which were which, as has she) were a doctor kit (the classic Fisher-Price) from my grandparents and a pirate ship from Laurie’s parents. The pirate ship is awesome. Iris and I named the pirates Salty Sam, Keelhaulin’ Katie, and Pegleg Petunia. Lately, ever since Iris got her 3-year-old checkup this week, the pirates tend to hang out in the waiting room until Iris calls, “SALTY SAM, NEXT APPOINTMENT!”
Yesterday Iris asked me to give Salty Sam his checkup, and it went like this:
> **Me:** Hmm, Salty Sam, you’ve got a fever. It could be scurvy.
> **Iris:** No, it’s cookies.
> **Me:** He got a fever from cookies?
> **Iris:** Yes.
> **Me:** What kind of crazy witch doctor are you?
> **Iris:** I’m just telling you the facts. (pause) Wait, it’s not cookies. It’s chocolate.
having actually been a professional pirate for a few years (i was “crow’s nest kate”), i can attest to the fact that “poopdeck paul” is also a pretty sweet pirate name.