Lying

Why do kids lie? I should know the answer to this and I kinda' do. I used to lie because 1. it was an adventure or 2. it got me out of doing stuff (i was lazy). And my kids know that I used to lie and how much I hate lying. So what do I have? The typical lying - "Did you brush your teeth?" "yes" "why is your toothbrush bone dry" Man, Oh Man, why can't they admit that - no they did not brush their teeth? Here I stand wondering, if they lie to me about the small things then are they telling the truth about the big things? Don't they realize that I can't trust them on ANYTING if they don't tell the truth. I have told them that they may get punished for doing something stupid, but it will be ten times worse if they lie.
And I know that they don't want to listen to their dad lecture them about whatever it is, but when they lie to escape the inquistion it makes the situation much longer and louder. Truth is always better!!
Here's hoping for a better tomorrow.