Xavier: “Can I get a laser tag set for Christmas?”

Me: “No way; no good can come from that.”

Xavier: “Come on!  It’s just lasers!  Nothing bad has ever come from lasers!”

Me: “I’m not about to enter into that debate right now, which, by the way, you wouldn’t win, but I will say that you are not getting a laser tag set.”

Xavier: “Mommmm!”

Me: Are you under the impression that nagging is going to work here?  That might work with your grandma, but it doesn’t work with me.  Do I look like grandma to you?”

Xavier: (pause) “I refuse to answer that question.”