Arthur clapped his hands.  “Alright!  Who’s going to do the dishes?” he playfully asked.  It was a Carlin family tradition.  Each year the three children competed and the loser had to do the dishes.

“Not It!!”  Clay was the first to pipe out.

“NOT IT!”  Glen and Spencer said at the same time.  Everyone looked at Arthur.

“Not it!”  Taylor yelled happily trying to throw himself into the fun.

“Sorry this is a Carlin family tradition Tyler.”  Arthur said not even looking at the boy who was grumbling “my name’s Taylor” under his breath.

“I so said it first Dad.”  The young blond haired boy defended himself.

“He did not!  I was first!  Remember I’m your favorite.”  Spencer whined while giving her father an angelic smile that Ashley hadn’t seen since high school.  That girl really knew how to play her cards.

“I think it was a tie.”  Arthur said smiling shaking his head at his children. 

“IT WAS NOT!”  Both Glen and Spencer said at once.  Clay laughed at his brother and sister and Chelsea kissed him on the head proudly, glad she and the children weren’t doing dishes tonight. 

“I say we duke it out then.”  Glen smiled cockily at his little sister.

“Fine!”  Spencer said with a smirk.

“Alright contestants, what will the event be.” The oldest Carlin asked as if he were a game show host.

“OOH!  ACADEMIC QUIZ!!!”  Clay excitedly suggested, jumping up from his seated position.

“NO!”  Spencer and Glen both looked in his direction as if he were crazy.  Ashley couldn’t help but laugh at this.  She may have called them the Brady Bunch but they were absolutely hilarious to see in action. 

“Okay Spencer, Glen, rock paper scissors, winner gets to decide the game.”  Arthur chimed in, once again using the voice of an entertainer.

“Rock paper scissors SHOOT!”  The two blonde children chanted at the same time.  Everybody was gathered around them now watching closely.  Glen held out paper and Spencer held out…rock.

“NOO!!!”  Spencer turned and buried her head playfully into Ashley’s chest.  While Glen turned around and high fived Morgan, “YEAHEHEAA!”

“Okay, check this out.  The final competition for who will wash all the dishes is called… …!!!”  Glen paused to build up to it, “WHO HAS THE MOST NUMBERS!!” He finished, holding his hands out pointing his fingers at Spencer.  Quiet well proud of himself for having such an ingenious game.

“What kind of a game is that?”  Spencer asked staring at Glen like the time he had suggested paint ball. 

“It’s easy.  Each one of us sends a representative, go out to a local bar and get as many numbers as possible.”  He finished now beaming at his family.

“NO!”  All the Carlin’s yelled out at him almost in unison.

“Oh come on! I won scissor paper rock!  Dad?  Didn’t I?”  He looked as his father helplessly as if he were a child asking for candy.

Hanging his head in defeat Arthur nodded, “he did, Spence.  He did.”

“YES!!”  Glen cheered happily.

“Nooooooo…”  Spencer whined behind him holding Ashley’s hand limply.  But Glen was halfway out the door with his car keys explaining to Morgan it was all in good nature as she simply smiled at him and shook her head.  And how after this Spencer and Ashley were "so doing the dishes."