Bedtime Routine

Mom: So when we get home everyone needs to get their pajamas on and be ready for bed.

Jane: And get a popsicle and watch tv?

Mom: No.

Jane: Oh-kay.

Spelling Emoticons

Kate [deliberately spelling, referring to her roast beef]: I-SPACE-L-O-V-E-SPACE-T-H-I-S-SPACE-B-E-E-F-PERIOD.

Mom: Thank you; that's sweet.

Kate: HEART-SMILEY FACE

Water Sports in the Morning

Dad walks in after riding the mountain bike one morning last week — sweaty and proud of himself for starting the day off right.

Lily (feeling a little left out): Dad, did you go on the water slide?

Dealbreaker

Kate: I'll make you a deal. I'll read you a story and you let me play with the iPhone.

Dad: Sorry, no.

Kate: I tell you what—I'll read you a story and you give me 20 bucks.

The Dog's Day Off

Andy [after spotting the dog on the front porch]: Cassie is outside.

Dad: Where do you think she is going?

Andy: Vacation.

Dependent Inventing

Kate: I wish I were an inventor. I'd make a craft that you build into candy.

Dad: That sounds pretty useful.

Kate: Then I would invent a gun that makes small things get big. Then I would point it at that craft and turn it into even more candy.

Afternoon Pleasantness

Kate: Dad can you come home from work early, like in the middle of the afternoon?

Dad: What would we do?

Kate: We could play games and you could watch me and Jane be nice to each other.