Scary

Some kids are obsessed with watching TV. In our house, though, we're mostly just obsessed with picking what we watch on TV.

Every time we sit down for a meal, I inquire about whose turn it is to pick. Sometimes I accept the answer (especially if it's my turn), and other times Rowan and I get into a screaming match.

"It's my turn to pick!"

"Iss MAH terr pick!!"

"No, it's MY turn to pick."

Etc., etc.

But recently Rowan accidentally stumbled upon a picking loophole. Because if whatever's been picked happens to be scary (e.g., contains scenes depicting nighttime or scenes where characters appear to be in peril), Rowan declares, "Iss scay-ee," and it gets changed.

And because we are masters of manipulation, it wasn't long before both of us were pulling The Scary Card every time we didn't like the current selection. It's an ingenius technique for making the things we don't want go away.

Mom realized it had all finally gone too far last Monday when a little boy got on the trampoline with Rowan at gymnastics. Preferring to jump alone, she looked at the little boy and said, "Scay-ee."

Turns out the technique has limited applications.