Elly had ratcheted up the pressure with her threats of leaving early. I had no other bites on the ad. “Bird in the hand” and all that . . . . So much for negotiating.

Pretty please.” the sweet pigtailed McKayla said, with sleep already evident in her loveable toddler voice, as her dad walked her up the stairs of their pristine Nebraska farm house. “Not tonight cuddle bug, your eyes are already starting to drop.

This child has special needs.

Well, that didn't work at all, so it's back to the drawing board, I guess.