Last night over Potato Oles, I started bugging Jaycie and Max about their favorite aunt. Specifically, which of us was their favorite.

See, Sister #2 and I have been waging battle to be #1 in the hearts of The Tibbles since Cade was born nearly seven years ago. While she has trained them to shout “Auntie is the best” (they call her Auntie) on command, I have been conducting a guerrilla campaign of my own that involves telling them what a copycat Auntie really is. Plus, they are getting to the age where they understand sarcasm and how to “get” someone. On Thanksgiving, I taught all five kidlings a dance that included repeatedly shouting in a sing-song voice “Jodi is the best!” It was great fun.

So last night I asked Jaycie if I was here favorite aunt.
“I don’t have any favorites,” she said, ever the diplomat.
“Hrmph!” I said. “At least I know I am Max’s favorite.”
Max shook his head, his blond curls bouncing. “It’s because we are two awesome peas in an awesome pod.”