Excuses, Excuses

Gracie absolutely didn't want to go to bed last night. Usually, since she has joined the ranks of a non-napper, she is zonked out by 8:30 p.m. Her bath puts her in sleepy mode, and many nights she doesn't even make it to her bed before going to sleep. Last night was different. It was probably compliments of the iced Christmas cookie she had at church at 7:30 p.m. Anyway, she had worn out every before bed activity we usually do, and I said, "It's time to brush your teeth and go to bed." Brent was in the basement painting during this exchange. Gracie thought for a second and said, "OK, Mommy. Here's how it goes. I need to go talk to Daddy first, and I have a lot to talk about." I was giggling, but I said, "Go tell Daddy goodnight and come back upstairs." I heard her go down and say, "Daddy, we have a lot to talk about before I go to bed." Then I heard fresh laughter, that can only be described as the unmistakable laughter of Brent Doolin. It's contagious. We were all laughing by the end of the exchange, so bedtime was kind of loopy last night in our house.