If this child

lives to be 8, it will be a miracle indeed.

Tonight at dinner, Lily (5) said, "Edee looks really tired. Her eyes are half opened."

"You mean half closed," replied Benjamin.

"Well," I said, "if they're half closed, then they're also half opened."

"Nuh-uh," said Ben in his I-just-want-to-be-contrary-to-my-little-sister voice.

"Then what else would the other half be? If it weren't half opened?" I asked.

There was MAYBE a two-second pause (if I really stretch it out) before he answered, "Nickels."