In the ongoing effort of some higher power to continuously prove me wrong, the third paragraph of the last post became obsolete the same day I posted it.

While reading Mackenzie her bedtime book I heard an annoying buzz. Taylor distinguished that it was coming from Mackenzie's light. I turned it off and, sure enough, the buzzing stopped. I flipped the switch back on but the light didn't come on. Concerned that Mackenzie would throw a fit sleeping without the light I started speaking about how great the hall light was. Ignoring this, she told me that there was enough light outside (it was dark) and to put the shade up. Apparently the street lights were enough for her because that was the end of it. We'll see how long this lasts!

Kenzie!

Mackenzie told me last night that she likes girls and women, but not men and boys. I tried not to take it personally. She also said that she wants a cat. Since she knows Amy is allergic to cats, she suggested we get it while Amy was gone! I'm only assuming she meant for us to bring it back upon Amy's return home but maybe she was just being sneaky.

Kenzie demands that her bedroom light stays on while she's asleep at night. For awhile we would turn it off after she fell asleep. More than once she woke up in the middle of the night screaming, "I TOLD YOU TO LEAVE THE LIGHT ON!" This is quite a bold outburst for 3 in the morning and a strong statement as to who she thinks in charge of the household. While most kids would have rolled over and gone back to sleep, Mackenzie knows what she wants at any hour of the day or night, and she knows how to get it. Looking out for the near term sleep needs of her parents and showing blatant disregard for the environment, the true bosses of the house have decided to fight this battle at a later date. For now, the light stays on!

Sick day!

Taylor had a fever during the last part of school yesterday so I decided to keep her home from school today. I also arranged a ride to school for Dylan, and planned on just keeping Mackenzie home so Taylor could sleep in. After all, a sick kid needs rest, right? Our normal school day routine involves Amy or me going in to Taylor's room first, since it's hardest for her to drag herself out of bed. Then we usually have to call up to her a few times, while her brother and sister are now out of bed and eating breakfast, so she'll actually get motivated enough to come to life.

Today, the one day that Taylor could sleep in, is the one day that she actually woke not only on time for school, but early! She surprised me at my early morning weigh in, because I didn't expect her to be up willingly at 6:55 am, and because I don't weigh in with any clothes on. Needless to say, she was surprised, too. She'll probably never wake up early again.

He hates to lose!

We went to the Antwerp Giants basketball game recently with the Penns. Taylor was excited to be with her friend (Gabi Penn). Dylan is friends with Ellie and Oliver (the Penn twins) but he said he'd rather go to their house than to a basketball game. A few days before the game he had never heard of the Antwerp Giants but he became immediately engrossed in the action. As time was running out and it became obvious the Antwerp team was going to lose the tears began to flow. He went from not caring a bit to being their biggest fan in the space of 2 hours! I'm sure he could care less by now but it's amazing how wrapped up in those things Dylan gets.

Also, check out "pretzel boy" in this photo. It's not an optical illusion. His back is bent backwards at a 70 - 80 degree angle. It hurts me to look at it.

Movie night!

The kids stayed up past their bedtime tonight for family movie night. Scooby Doo and those "meddling kids" were the main feature. Amy laughed the hardest although she's probably the only one in the family that probably didn't consider herself to be a Scooby fan. I guess she is now. Jinkies!

What?

Dylan asked if he could have a beer. Mackenzie mooned me. Taylor is on her way to break a rule (but she asked for permission first). The kids are playing truth or dare! I also explained that daring someone to expose themselves was going too far, even if it's just to family.