Everyone's favorite word is "no" around here

"I. Don't. Like. It!!!" Max informs me.

I've just showed him a new winter jacket I picked up for him. It's a perfectly fine dark green and black number although granted, it is not fire truck red.

"Max, it's nice!" I say.

"I. Don't. Like. It!!!" he repeats.

This is Max's new favorite phrase, and he uses it often.

Broccoli: "I. Don't. Like. It!!!"

New pillow: "I. Don't. Like. It!!!"

CNN: "I. Don't. Like. It!!!"

Yogurt with granola: "I. Don't. Like. It!!!"

Smelly pig at the zoo: "I. Don't. Like. It!!!"

* * * * * 

"Ben, let's get your pajamas on," I say.

"NO!" says Ben.

"C'mon, it's time to go to sleep," I tell him.

"NO!" says Ben.

"Do you want a bath?"

"NO!"

"Are you tired?"

"NO!"

Ben's favorite word is "No." Sometimes, we toy with him:

"Is your name Ben?"

"NO!"

"Are you a boy?"

"NO!"

"Am I Mommy?"

"NO!"

"Is that Daddy?"

"NO!"

"Do you like to say 'NO!?'"

"NO!"

* * * * * 

"No, it's not me," says Sabrina. 

We're trying to pick out some winter clothes for her on a site that's having a sale, "trying" being the operative word.  

"How about that?" I ask, clicking on a cute top.

"No, too girly," she says.

"And that?" I say, clicking on another.

"No, it has lace," she says.

"OK, wait, this is cool!" I say, clicking again.

She stares.

"No, I don't think so," Queen Herself responds. 

"No" is one of Sabrina's preferred words, too. 

* * * * * 

I may have three children at different stages, yet they are remarkably similar about being picky and stubborn and making their opinions known. In other words, they are very typical. Max has been especially vocal lately about expressing himself (see: "It's disgusting!"). This is awesome, yes. But....

Dave and I are pretty much the only agreeable human beings around here, unless we ask if anyone would like to: 1) eat cookies (Ben); 2) go to the mall (Sabrina); 3) visit a fire stations (guess who). 

Can I get a "yes!" please?