Enough With The Pickle.

School starts early this year - first day is actually in August, before Labor Day.  Before that we're going "away" twice - which we haven't done in a very long time.  I figure going anywhere next summer will be more difficult when we're a bit more outnumbered.  I have a feeling it will be more difficult, but at the same time easier, because two of the kids are at particularly difficult (stubborn?!) ages rightthisverymoment and will be much more mature in one year especially when the little one is magically turned into a "big sistah" in 97 or so days.  You know your summer is already wearing thin when the conversations at 8am go like this:

"Please stop doing that with your pickle."

"You're really bothering me with that pickle."

"Enough with the pickle."

"If you do that with the pickle one more time, it's going in the trash."

Now, later, it's:

Dad:  "Go close the door.  Close the door.  The air conditioning is on, please go Close The Door.  Close the door.  Close the door."

Difficult child #1: "I wasn't the last one in."

"Please just close the door."

" But I wasn't the last one in!"  ::pouting ensues::

"If you don't close the door you're not (insert next activity here), so just close the door."

" But I Wasn't The Last One In!"  ::tears begin::