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Kids are far more clever than we give them credit for. We should know, we used to be kids ourselves! Their imaginations are in overdrive, their wittiness is off the charts, and they have their ‘snappy comebacks’ levels set all the way to 11.

Today we’re featuring the times that kids outsmarted their parents with some hilarious and genuinely impressive power moves, as shared on the r/madlads subreddit.

Scroll down, upvote your fave posts, and let us know in the comments which of these made you giggle the most. And be sure to read on for Bored Panda’s chat about parenting and how kids like to test limits with relationship expert Dan Bacon, a loving father of two.

Oh, and if any of you Pandas reading this are parents, we would absolutely love it if you’d share your own fun experiences raising your kids.

#1

9 Year Olds Being Absolute Madlads

9 Year Olds Being Absolute Madlads

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Relationship expert and father of two Dan explained to Bored Panda what the right balance should be between strictness and fun when it comes to raising kids. According to him, patience is key. As is the understanding that children love to see what they can get away with doing.

“In order to be good, functioning citizens of a society, children do need to be shown what is good and what is bad. However, you have to remember that a child is a clean slate and is effectively innocent,” he said.

#3

Not Sure If This Counts But Madlad Strikes At His Mom?

Not Sure If This Counts But Madlad Strikes At His Mom?

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According to Dan, kids are constantly testing boundaries and checking to see what their parents will and will not allow them to do at home.

“The child will often say and do things that could make you angry if you don’t understand that he/she is simply testing to see what is okay or not, or what the limits are. Without testing, the child will just sit there, be quiet and do nothing, which isn’t going to happen,” Dan explained.

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#6

D E S T R O Y E D

D E S T R O Y E D

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Caro Caro
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sam is very smart and I guess Tyler stomped off to his/her room.

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“The child wants to explore the world around it and see what he/she can and cannot do. The child will also regularly forget what is right or wrong at times, or remember that something is wrong, but do it again anyway to see if you have a different response this time,” the dad of two pointed out what parents should be aware of.

“By doing it again, the child often shows you that it doesn’t need to follow a particular rule because the rule was too strict, or unnecessary, which then results in you changing and allowing the child to do it from then on,” he said.

#7

Mothers Children Are Absolute Madmen. Out Of Control

Mothers Children Are Absolute Madmen. Out Of Control

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Kanuli
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would have made sure to make stomping sounds every time to make them think you broke them :)

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#8

This Little Mad Lad's On A Mission

This Little Mad Lad's On A Mission

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“So, you need to be patient as the child grows up and figures out how to behave and approach life in a way that suits you and himself/herself. One way to think about expecting a child to change or follow your orders is to remember how long it can take you to change a certain behavior as an adult,” Dan mused.

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“Sometimes it can take weeks or months for you to stop a habit, change a behavior or take on a new behavior that people are asking of you, so you shouldn’t expect a child to change everything overnight and be completely obedient to every new rule you come up with," he said.

#10

You Cant Speak Chinese Here

You Cant Speak Chinese Here

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#12

Absolute Mad Lad Dad

Absolute Mad Lad Dad

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Ivo H
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, you can love someone despite one stupid opinion. In this case it's dangerous, but he took care of it. Of course there should be no need to do this to do this this way, but hey, at least it's solvable by one sneaky night trip.

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Jake from State Farm
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

bUt ShE iS rIgHt! tHe VaCcInE hAs HyDrOgEn MoNoXiDe In It, AnD pEoPlE wHo CoNsUmE iT gEt CaNcEr 100% Of ThE tImE. (Yeah I’m so funny)

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Karen Philpott
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm Karen. Not antivax. Both of my children have had their child vaccinations. They both wanted their Covid ones and I drove them to get them.

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Erik Lona
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Richards all over the world are now glad instead of calling mean men D***s, they are now just male Karens. A moment of silence for you and all others who didn't choose that name.

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KatHat
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Apart from everything else - which, yes, I know is a lot - the sheer arrogance of anti-vaxxery is staggering. Thinking you're SO SMART you know better than thousands of scientists and medical experts. Insisting on your enormous brain rather than letting the experts be experts. I note these people rarely turn their amazing intelligence to other things - most still call plumbers and roofers; let dentists extract their teeth, get mechanics to work on their cars - but I encourage them to go ALL IN. You can become an expert in anything with your own research? DO IT. NEVER GO TO AN EXPERT AGAIN. I DOUBLE DOG DARE YOU.

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Erik Lona
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why are people who don't trust science believed to be idiots? The same can be said for those who are willing to believe everything science tells them, even when they change the rules every other week. I'm a skeptic, if 50% of the population is getting vaccinated and the numbers of infected people on both sides still rose together, then how is one group wrong over the other? It's literally been 2 years and nothing has changed, regardless of your vaccination status, you're not safe from a new virus.

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Allesha Bond
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's some more serious issues here. You cannot think it's ok for one spouse to do something with a child without the others knowledge.

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just Sia
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

you don't die without vaccinations who the f**k told u that. Vaccines are for more protection they're optional for if you wish to have or need them. People need to stop shitting on people that wish to not get vaccinated. It's got nothing to do with you.

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Vicky Z
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Vaccines are definitely not optional! Jeez didn't you people have any biology class at school? Wtf

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Mark Fuller
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This one just makes me kinda sad. Sad that it even happens. But happy he'll be healthier.

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Marissa Taylor
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

funny the nurse who gave my my 2nd Covid shot was named Karen. >Lady stabbed me my poor arm hurt for a few days ;=;

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Amy Talbot
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was an unvaccinated 80s baby, i was fine! My mum was worried about its fake(we now no) links to autism. I dont blame my mum for worrying. It was normal then, not now though it would be careless not to have them for our babies! Funny old world isn't it x

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IlovemydogShilo
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At least you had one parent who loved you and cared about your well being.

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Patricia the Grey
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I just wonder what other crap she put into her neglected children's heads

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Granny
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My second cousin a healthy fun man at 48 just passed from COVID in the ICU... Heartbreaking

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Kelly Hartle
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Everything's a conspiracy if you don't understand how things work.

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Tomas Anshelm
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Regardless of what you think of vaccines, that's really not ok. Thats a fundamental medical decision and that should be agreed upon by both parents regardless of what way you go with it. If you can't agree or be honest about something like that you relationship has some serious trust issues

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Yoru S.
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Its so sad that everyone gets a choice to make, but not children that are capable to understand and choose. So its not your opinion you are no longer family... So sad, so sad. #Give young adults a voice 🤘

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Dirtier Harrier
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ahh, I missed some heartwarming pro-vax story so much. Esp. when it's really about the kickass intelligence of the 1 yr old kid outsmarting the mom by letting the dad drag him into the hospital....

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Kristi R.
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This makes no sense at all. You are 15, but you're dad sneaks you to the hospital when you're 1 year old....??? Sounds like you are 6.

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Denny
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Are u dumb? The dad snuck them out when they were 1 and 14 years have passed since then. They’re 15 now.

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karl briggs
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't understand the 1 year old part, thought he was 15??

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Glirpy
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm guessing this marriage isn't going to last much longer.

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Kishibe Angelo
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

the dad is a legend but not the mom because why wouldn't she be an antivaxxer

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Kelly Harrison-Gunn
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hey idiots, as adults we weren’t vaccinated against the 1000 things that kids are given shots for today. Funny, I never got polio or chicken pox. Maybe instead of following the heard, do your own research on vaccines. There are more children in America with Autism then any other country because we force more vaccines then any other country. John Kennedy Jr is a fighter against vaccines, look him up. It’s not the vaccines, it’s the crap we add to them in order to give them a longer shelf life. As a mother of three children with autism, after vaccination, please don’t judge other people in their beliefs and choices. That’s what is great about America, we have the right to choose!

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Jace
Community Member
2 years ago

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Ah, the anti-vaxx bashing again. I was waiting for it. And don’t get me wrong, some vaccines are simply a good idea for the disease it prevents, nothing wrong with it. But anti-vaxx at BP most of the times simply means anti covid vaccine. With vaccines for polio for example, after a few shots you’re protected for life. With covid, you have to take a shot every 6 months, still have to wear a mask, you can still spread it and you can still get sick. Compared to other vaccines, that’s not a very good score. But being critical at those aspects makes you an outcast and you can disregard those people as being stupid and backwards. I don’t agree with that.

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G. T.
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The vaccines protect the vaccinated. It's difficult for a single vaccine to be effective over a lifetime because that particular virus mutates readily and too many people just didn't want to get vaccinated. They are the reasons we have to keep getting boosters and will have to develop new vaccines for newer variants. Compared to other vaccines, where the viruses targeted mutate less and there are much higher vaccination rates, of course the difference will be noticeable. But you will see those illnesses come back in anti-vax households. That has already started to happen with measles. The masks are what sensible, thoughtful people wear to protect the unvaccinated since a majority of them (sans those with actual medical reasons) would rather throw a tantrum (sometimes a violent one, at that) instead of get vaccinated. You're welcome. Also, the article had nothing to do with the covid vaccine, just so you know.

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Vihra Stancheva
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2 years ago

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I am sorry but I can't agree to the dad taking the kid to get vaccinated in the middle of the night. It just isn't. I am not saying the mother is right, all I am saying is whatever they have isn't a family

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Dillon Hughes
Community Member
2 years ago

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So the dad is right because he snuck a toddler away from the mother to get an unapproved mRNA gene therapy shot? You do know that deaths have spiked over %50 in vaccinated boys, right? https://newstarget.com/2022-01-18-male-teen-deaths-skyrocketed-53percent-covid-vaccination.html

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Andrew Dunford
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dillon, what brand of tin foil do you use to make your hats with? Asking for a friend.

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"You have to love patiently, otherwise being a parent will make you feel stressed all the way through the child’s life," Dan said.

Some of us honestly think we peaked in terms of humor and wit and creativity when we were kids (and it was all downhill from there!). So it’s no wonder that we’ve been trying to recapture some of that magic. One of the ways to do it is to remind yourself what it actually means to be a child: speaking boldly and without a filter, setting our imaginations loose, and finding interesting ways of looking at the world.

#13

What A Legend

What A Legend

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MauKini
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I met a creepy nyc lawyer. He wanted to buy the bra I was wearing for 50 dollars. I said no. He gave me 100 Dollars becaus he admired that i wouldnt sell him my brad. One of the weirdest moments in my life. (I was with a friend during the day at an bowlingalley.)

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#15

Little Miss Madlass

Little Miss Madlass

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Recently, Bored Panda went in-depth about how clever kids can be. Comedy writer and single mom Ariane Sherine said kids take after their parents in terms of wit, sense of humor, and creativity.

“Both I and my daughter’s dad work in the media, and from an early age, she’s wanted to be a pop star, writer, and actor. I don’t know how much of her creativity was influenced by seeing her dad’s writing in the newspaper and seeing me go out late to perform at musical comedy gigs. She definitely has creative talents, but how much of that is nature or nurture I don’t know. As for sense of humor, she’s far more sassy and sarcastic than me, so I think her sharp wit is all her own!” she told Bored Panda.

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“My daughter loves starring in my social media posts. She actually asks me to tweet about her! When she does something cool or impressive like skateboarding or graffiti writing, she asks, ‘Can you put it on Twitter?!’ Then she loves to read the comments. I guess some kids are more shy and retiring, but I like the fact that mine is confident and happy to show the world her talents,” she said.

#19

Mad Student

Mad Student

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Ozacoter
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A kid wants to drink water or go to the toilet. School: "Not on my watch!"

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Ariane told Bored Panda that she is a very liberal mom because she had very strict parents herself.

“I think being liberal encourages creativity as it gives kids the confidence to express themselves fully, and my daughter is usually very sweet-natured and well-behaved. She’s also a lot of fun, while I didn’t dare to be fun in such a strict environment when I was a kid, so I’m really pleased that I’m giving her a happier and freer upbringing.”

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#23

Madlad's Mom Has Got It Going On

Madlad's Mom Has Got It Going On

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#27

Mad Dad And Mad Lad Jr

Mad Dad And Mad Lad Jr

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Evil Hornet
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

One got grounded, one was banned from bedroom but it was still worth it! :D

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#28

Child Mad Lad

Child Mad Lad

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cybermerlin2000
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, we're an enlightened bunch when we were kids. I drank a 500ml bottle of Hai Karate aftershave because my brothers and I wanted to know if it made my farts smell better. Just for the curious: Farts could still peel the skin off the back of your eyeballs at 20 meters, and you get weird hallucinations, but at least the nurses in the hospital saw the funny side

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#29

He Did It

He Did It

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Nicky
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You were likely suspended for 2 days for accessing the school system, and 5 days for the joke.

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#31

Absolute Madlad In The Comments

Absolute Madlad In The Comments

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Luther von Wolfen
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When my kid was five or so, they told me they would never get tattoos. I assume that having heavily tattooed parents has this effect on many kids.

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#36

How To Scare The S**t Out Of Your Siblings 101

How To Scare The S**t Out Of Your Siblings 101

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#38

Child Mad Lad

Child Mad Lad

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#42

Madlad Kids

Madlad Kids

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Lilyan
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I used to live near a David Stone Lawyer with a rather large sign out front of the offices, every second week the sign would be changed the 'avid StoneDLawyer' - it gave me the childish giggles every time.

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#43

Once A Madlad Was 7 Years Old

Once A Madlad Was 7 Years Old

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#44

Mad Lad Child

Mad Lad Child

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Sasha Grace
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Australia we say "step on a crack, break your mothers back; step on a line, break your fathers spine"... we're equal-opportunists!

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#45

Madlad Son

Madlad Son

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#47

This Lad Has Zero Chill

This Lad Has Zero Chill

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#49

The Dedication Of This Mad Lad Nephew

The Dedication Of This Mad Lad Nephew

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Mistralok
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"My half was on the bottom". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aj8uw71Pf4w

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#50

Son Is A Madlad

Son Is A Madlad

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Helenium
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Anyone remember the meth head attack squirrel called deez nutz. Wonder how he’s going

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Note: this post originally had 83 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.