At exactly 7:15 AM, the bedroom door burst open, and tiny feet pattered across the floor. A second later, Henry was tugging at the sheets, too small to climb up on his own but determined.

You groaned, still half-asleep as you reached down and scooped him up, lifting him onto the bed. Immediately, he scrambled across the mattress and plopped down right on top of you with an excited giggle.

“Cartoons!” he demanded, his little hands patting at your chest like you were a human drum.

You chuckled, running a hand through his messy bedhead. “Good morning to you too, bud.”

Next to you, Emily let out a muffled groan, barely lifting her head from the pillow. She’d been working late nights all week, and you knew she was exhausted. Her voice was thick with sleep when she muttered, “Too early… take him with you.”

You smirked. “I already was.”

---

Snuggled together on the couch, you flipped on Clifford the Big Red Dog—his current obsession. He bounced excitedly as the theme song started, pointing at the screen.

“That’s Emily Elizabeth!” he announced proudly, referring to the little girl from the show. “She’s so nice.”

You smiled. “She is, huh?”

Behind you, there was a sleepy groan from the stairs.

Emily, hair a mess, shuffled into the living room, rubbing her eyes. “Why do I hear my full name being used like I’m in trouble?”

You blinked up at her, confused. “Huh?”

She yawned. “You said Emily Elizabeth in that tone.”

Realization hit, and you burst out laughing. “Oh my God, no! He was talking about the show!”

Henry nodded seriously. “Mama, you in trouble?”

Emily narrowed her eyes playfully. “Should I be?”

You smirked. “Depends. Have you been behaving?”

Emily groaned and flopped onto the couch beside you, pulling a blanket over herself. “Too early for this.”

Henry giggled, climbing onto her lap. “Mama, we watch Clifford.”

Emily sighed dramatically but pulled him close. “Fine. But only because you’re cute.