for those who are not of the european persuasion, here is merriam-webster's definition ...

cheeky

Main Entry: cheeky
Pronunciation: \ˈchē-kē\
Function: adjective
Inflected Form(s): cheek·i·er; cheek·i·est
Date: 1846

: insolently bold : impudent

— cheek·i·ly

\-kə-lē\ adverb

— cheek·i·ness

\-kē-nəs\ noun

adjusting to the new family structure has been a bit of a challenge for nolan, so mark and i give him a LOT of leeway when it comes to the daily/weekly/monthly rows we run into. for the most part, we mildly butt heads when it comes to the new-ish rules that are now in place. the rules have not changed at all actually, they just got a little more consistent. in an effort to raise an expressive, yet polite child these days, one of the newly enforced rules is that cheekiness is NOT permitted. having been a busy working single mom, i let it slip over the years. the good news is that his cheekiness has been curtailed with both mine and mark's consistent-yet-gentle reminders. lately though, nolan seems to be going through a phase where he needs to have the LAST WORD on everything.

well ...

yesterday evening, while the three of us trudged up 5th avenue to union square for a barnes & noble visit, nolan got himself into a heap of trouble. he would not, could not loosen his verbal grasp on the tail end of a discussion. it quickly devolved into an argument where mark and i have to give him several warnings. understand that i DO allow nolan to voice his opinions and i value them but when it comes to beating a dead horse, nolan is KING.

and so the punishment was set forth - the king of dead horse beatings was given 100 lines to write this morning at the break of dawn, "i must not be cheeky to my parents."