Every morning, McKenna is the last to leave her bed. I wake up all the kids at 6:45 then go make my coffee. The boys are usually up and at the kitchen table for breakfast by 7:00am.

Not McKenna. 

I pester her until I leave the house with requests of PROOF OF LIFE. This is to ensure she hasn’t fallen back to sleep—or is awakened again if she has.

I shout from all over the house McKENNA…PROOF OF LIFE. If I am within sight, she will wildly wave her arms or feet under her billion blankets from high in her lofted bed.

If I’m finishing up in my room or out in the kitchen, I’ll shout out VERBAL PROOF OF LIFE and she will demonstrate she’s awake by singing out the tune I’ve always sung to my kids to wake them up.

I’ve started adding other proof requests with callbacks.

🎶 Who lives in a pineapple under the sea…🎶

This one was tricky for my nuggetarian…like a vegetarian with a chicken nugget exception. 

🎶 My bologna has a first name… 🎶

I stumped her with this one today. 
 
🎶 Sweet Caroline 🎶

I think tomorrow I might use this. 

🎶 Who’s afraid of little old me…? 🎶

I’m taking any and all suggestions to annoy my tweenager to grace us with her presence each morning.

I am writing for the 19th annual Slice of Life challenge presented by Two Writing Teachers.