Owen has discovered the wonderful world of excuses. My life used to be simple. I told Owen to do something. He said, “OK” and did it, or he said, “No” and went to time out until he was ready to do it, which usually took all of about 30 seconds. We had a few all day battles when he first started telling me, “No” years ago, but once he learned that he wasn’t going to do anything but sit and stare at the wall until he did what I asked, it never took long. Sitting still is not his friend.
Oh, the simple days! Here is an example of our conversations now, from just this very morning:
Me: “Owen, take your bowl into the kitchen and put it in the sink.”
Owen: “Wait, I’m kicking an alien right now.”
Me: “Stop kicking the alien, and go put your bowl in the sink.”
Owen: “I can’t. The alien turned me into a zombie.”
Me: ”Bowl in the sink or time out.”
Owen: Loud, exaggerated fake snoring.
Me: “If you’re tired, you need to get in bed and take a nap.”
Owen: “Noooooooooo! I want to take my bowl to the sink!!!”
Naps are not his friend either. 
At least his excuses are creative and original. He makes it really hard to keep a straight face! A+ for personality, D for following directions! I’m slightly concerned that he might become a rodeo clown someday, but I bet he’d be really darn good at it!
Here’s a couple more recent photos of Mr. Personality.
