Conversing to compromise

I ventured out and bought some clothes for Alaina and Kayla, forgetting how one size can vary depending upon the store.

Alaina now has a bunch of huge pants and shirts to save for next year, but I found a belt on a 2T outfit I bought two years ago that I'm trying to use to prevent a second, smaller size shopping trip.

But Alaina thinks that belts are toys. I have one good belt that frequently surfaces in the toy box after Alaina has used it as either a leash for an animal, a rope, or a band aide to wrap someone up like a Gothic mummy.

Jeff gets really disturbed seeing Alaina dragging around an animal wearing the belt. (They end up looking like they are trussed up for an S and M session. Creepy!)

Anyway . . .
Trying to get Alaina to wear the belt end up with us having logical little conversations like this:

Alaina, if you are going to wear your belt today, you can't take it off and play with it, it isn't a toy.

OK.

If you take it off, Miss N will have to put it in your cubby.

Except for Nap Time.

What?

I don't have to wear my belt for nap time because it will poke me in the tummy and hurt me.

Okay, you can have Miss N put it in your cubby for nap time.

I can just put it under my cot with my shoes and then put it back on after nap time.

Oh, ummm. . . fair enough. you can do that.

Yes I can.

And I can't decide if I hallucinated it or if she really did use the word 'except.'
Way to go Alaina!

Now if I can just find a school that teaches grammar skills I'll have a great politician in training!