when I started this blog five years ago, I was a pet sitter and the name animal-crackers made sense. now I'm a stay-at-home-dad and freelance writer, but rather than confuse everyone by getting a different blog, it's just easier to keep posting things here.

After 8 pm, we limit Josh's liquid consumption to water. But that doesn't stop him from trying to get milk, juice and Kool-Aid. He tried for half an hour to change my mind. When that failed, he cornered his mother in Dylan's room, so I couldn't overhear them.

"Can I have chocolate milk?" Josh asked. "It's my faaaaaavorite."

"It's my faaaaaavorite," I mimicked from the kitchen.

"You'll pay for that!" Josh yelled.