One of those conversations I wish I could've recorded

The 4-year old pipes up from the backseat. "I don't like holidays."

"Why not?!"

"Because I don't like the food."

This is news to us. Besides, the holiday hasn't even begun for the kids. Today was their last day in daycare until the new year.

"Why? What did you eat in daycare?"

"Not in daycare! I don't like holidays!" This is obviously about some other holiday. Our last significant family holiday was in New Zealand.

"But on our last holiday we rode on a plane, remember? That was fun! We had a great holiday!"

"I liked riding on the plane, but I didn't like the holiday."

"Why not?"

"Because I didn't like the food."

"You didn't like the food? Well, what food do you like?"

"I like--I like--I like--I like--I like--I like--I like--I like--I like--I like--I like--I like--"

"Do you like rice and meat? I'm sure we ate rice and meat."

"I like McDonalds!"

Much entertainment ensues, mostly due to the smirking going on in the front seats. Anyway, after a few more exchanges...

"Mama, I want hotdogs for dinner."

"Hotdogs? I don't think you're getting hotdogs for dinner."

"I want hotdogs for dinner."

"I don't think so, darling."

"Why not?"

"Because they don't sell hotdogs here." Although we're eating at the foodcourt--due to last-minute Christmas shopping--they don't serve any kind of hotdogs. Most likely, we'll get teppanyaki freshly made (and we did).

"I want one hundred million hotdogs!" This is accompanied with an erect pointer finger. "One hundred million" seems to be our number of the week. Always accompanied by a finger.

"You'll get one hundred million tummy aches. I don't think you'll like that at all."