"So, funny story. We are getting a dog," my friend Mandy texted me on the morning of April 1 as I was finishing my grocery shopping.

"Hahaha happy April Fools' day," I shot back. "You're so lucky that's a joke!"

"The best part of this year's April Fools' is that it is NOT a joke," she wrote back, accompanied by a video of her daughter shrieking, "I knew this day would come!"

Texting Mandy an April Fools' joke is one of my April 1 traditions, as is playing jokes at home. But this year, I had been thinking I was just going to let it pass. I was too busy ordering dog food, being jumped on to no avail, and making vet appointments for our new puppy's... ummm, stomach issues.

"Mama, look what I made!" Little L said a couple days before April 1 as I bundled up to take out the new puppy - who we'll call Meatball - yet again. It was a drawing with an error message for a broken computer. "I'm going to tape it to Papa's computer," she delighted.

Now, Little L wasn't thinking about April Fools' Day, per se. The great thing about being six is that you are always looking for fun, delightful things to do that will make others - but mostly you yourself - laugh.

But she reminded me of the true meaning of April Fools' Day! Plus, if she was willing to do the work...

"Let's wait and do it for April Fools' Day!" I said, and because six seems slightly less obstinate than five, she agreed.

When the big day came, we got out the tape and got to work. Little L got the signs that she had made the night before out of their hiding spot in my sock drawer. We couldn't find Axel's phone, and Axel himself couldn't find his phone when we asked him for it (likely a tip-off that something was afoot, but what can you do?). In the end we just used my phone and pretended it was his.

This is what Axel received on April Fools' morning.

April has come and gone. Meatball is learning not to pee on our living room carpet (as much).

We've been to the vet to induce vomiting after an unfortunate snack she found on the street corner. 

But luckily my sense of humor is intact (mostly), and Axel's computer, phone, and Switch are in working order. 

At least until next April, that is.