Time to Pray

Sorry this is not a typical blog post today, but this conversation needs to be recorded (at least for my memories). It occurred a few nights back whilst I was babysitting. I had just put five year old Nicolas to bed-stories told, lights out, tucked in- when he called out:

Nick: Miss Kerri! It's time to play!
Miss Kerri: No sir, we just spent all night playing. It's time to go to bed.
Nick: But it's time to pray! Go!
(dawns on Miss Kerri that he said "pray" not "play" but she is slightly startled at the sudden command)
MK: I dunno sweetie...
Nick: (pleading) But Miss Kerri! We need to talk to Jesus!
MK: (trying to think of appropriate response) hmmm...
Nick: Please?!? Miss Kerri, don't you love God?
MK: (taken aback by how innocently and straightforward that question was asked) Alright, what do you normally do for prayers?
Nick: Well, Mommy says something and then I repeat it. Go!
MK: What?!?
Nick: It's time to pray! GO!
MK: Why don't you start to give me an idea of what she says? You can do it! I believe in you!
Nick: Ok, but you have to repeat it.
MK: Ok
Nick: Jesus, I love you! (hits MK and whispers) Repeat!
MK: Jesus, I love you!
Nick: Uhhh.... I dunno what else to say. Your turn-
MK: AMEN!
Nick: What- No! Prayer has to be longer than that!
MK: OK- Thank you for today.
Nick: Thank you for today.
(pause- Nick looks at MK expectantly)
Miss Kerri?
MK: Ummm... AMEN!
Nick: Nooooo
MK: Fine, do you go to school?
Nick: Yes
MK: Dear God, Please help us to do well in school.
Nick: (impressed) Oh, that's good! Dear God, Please help us to do well in school.
MK: and let us have a wonderful day tomorrow!
Nick: and let us have a wonderful day tomorrow!
MK: AMEN!
Nick: Amen. That was a good long prayer Miss Kerri.
MK: Thanks sweetie. Good Night~

Where Dreams Come True and Logic Doesn't Exist

Disney's Magic Kingdom's three big rides are "mountains." There is Splash Mountain, where you get wet, Thunder Mountain, a roller coaster outside through a desert-like mountain, and Space Mountain, an indoor roller coaster in the dark with faux stars and stuff.

So, for the past four-ish years, Lindsey and I have been trying our hardest to get Codi on Space Mountain. It is, after all, hands down, Disney's best ride. She won't do it. She refuses and fusses and screams that she won't get on it. We are there for her birthday; she's officially a teenager now (can you believe it?), 13. We tell her, it would be a cool story to tell your friends. Nope. No budging. So her, my dad, and I get in line for Thunder Mountain, her favorite ride. The line is super long, estimated wait time is 80 minutes. We glimpse at the fast-pass station. You can get a pass, but the return time 7:30-8:30. The following conversation actually happened. I did not make this up!

Kerri: Space Mountain's line was shorter than this and it’s a better ride... why don't you just try it?
Codi: NO! Let's get a fast-pass and come back later.
Dad: We should just wait in line. The fast-pass time is too late into the night. It'll be dark by then.
Codi: I don't care. Riding a roller coaster is more fun in the dark when you can see the stars anyways.
Kerri: (taken back by previous statement) WHOA! If only there was a ride based on that concept that we could go to and ride now.... I wish there was...Oh wait! That's what Space Mountain is!

Can you believe she said that?

I most certainly cannot.

...afterwards, fyi, she still wouldn't ride Space Mountain.