What the Cuss?

Our friends just took their nephew to see the movie "Fantastic Mr. Fox" based on the novel by Roald Dahl, who by the way, is one of my favorite authors of all time. I love love love The Twits, The BFG, The Witches, and of course James and the Giant Peach. I wish I still had my tattered and worn copy of James and the Giant Peach from my elementary school days...I must have read that book 20 times and each time, it was like reading it for the very first time. I'm certain that it was Mr. Dahl who introduced me to the wonderful world of books. It was he who commenced my love for reading. There are many others to acknowledge: Beverly Cleary, Judy Blume, Betty MacDonald (Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle), and Ann M. Martin (The Baby-Sitters Club) to name a few. But that Roald Dahl...he stimulated my imagination more than anyone ever has. I'm also sure my sarcastic nature is not at all a result of reading his books!

Anyway, getting back to "Fantastic Mr. Fox"...I've been told that this is a very cool movie for adults, especially because they have witty lines like, "What the cuss?" and "Who the cuss do you think you are?! My cussing mother?". The only downside to that is trying to explain to your child what "cuss" means!

On that same subject... like many parents I'm sure, I've been having the hardest time controlling my swearing in front of Big O. Not that I have a dirty sailor mouth by any means, but every now and then, I let one slip. "Oh *cuss*!"

These are some of the things I'm trying to use instead: "Oh Snap!"..."Mother of Pearl!"...and my personal favorite "Louisa May Alcott!" This last one is totally random and freakin' hilarious!!! What are yours?