We went light with dinner on Christmas Eve. The whole day was full of snacking and egg nogging so a big dinner would have been a waste. In any case, the kids wanted to keep it light so they'd be in fighting trim for Christmas morning. The dinner itself was light and refreshing but the conversation was another story.

[The Scene] The Peacock Clan sits around the table eating spiced fries. Occasionally one or more children (and one or more adults) will break into a Christmas Carol. The mood is festive and gay.

Bear: [sings] Jingle Bells! Batman smells!

Bacon: [sings] Robin laid an egg!

Bear: No, Grandma laid an egg.

Bacon: Did not!

Bear: Did so!

Burger: [sings] Grandma got run over by a reindeer...

Bear: [sings] Walking home from our house Christmas Eve!

Bacon: [sings] Robin laid an egg!

[A vocal squabble errupts wherin the relative merits of the Grandma and Robin versions are discussed at length. Eventually a strained silence is achieved.]

Burger: [Leans to the side in the "letting one sneak out" pose] I'm pooping!!

Me: No, you are not.

Burger: Yes I am! At the table!

Lovely Wife: Do you need to go to the potty?

Burger: I'm pooping in my pants! In my pull-up!

Bear: No toilet talk at the table!

[Chaos ensues]

They say that awareness of bodily functions is one of the critical steps towards potty training, so this is progress. That's what I tell myself, anyway.