Alex crawled into bed with us early this morning because he had a bad dream. I tried to get him to reveal what the dream was about but he could not remember. Then there was quiet.

Mom, he asked .... what is McDonalds? I said, um... well where did you hear about McDonalds? At school, our teacher asked us our favorite restaurant and alot of kids said McDonalds.

I explained that it is a fast food restaurant. Not the healthiest choice. I asked him if he told everyone his favorite restaurant.... the Puerto Rican restaurant, the taqueria, the Italian

place we can walk to from our house? You know, the one that gives you crayons and little pieces of fresh parmesean cheese, and a little bowl of gummy bears for dessert?  How about

your uncles restaurant, the one with the cool wood burning pizza oven? Oh, I didn't think of that he said.

Mom, I want to try McDonalds, he said.

I start to feel somewhat uneasy.

Same day, but after school. I am let the boys watch a show. Its Friday and we have had a busy tiring week. How about Zooboomafoo guys? A cute show all about animals, featuring a talking lemur.

Mom? Alex says. Can we watch Spongebob?

Um Spongebob? That is an out of the blue request I am totally caught of guard by.

I tell him I don't think so.

So tonight, I think its going to be me who cannot sleep.

My kid is being influenced.

Who is having the bad dream now?