Sometimes my daughters let me sleep in, while they get themselves breakfast (and make a mess in the process), and then, as I slowly wake up, I overhear strange conversations between them at the breakfast table. This one’s from this morning: Annalise (3yrs): <laughing to herself about something, probably a game she’s found to play […]

After picking up Claire from arboretum camp: Me: So did you have fun today, sweet girl? Claire (6yrs): …..Uh…..kind of… Me: Awe, what wasn’t so great about it? Claire: A boy in my class said some mean things to me…. It ….. it hurt my heart. Me: Oh no! I’m so sorry! Did you tell […]

From our conversation during the car-ride home: Claire (6yrs): <enraged, nostrils flaring, voice raised> Mom, you know what’s NOT FAIR about boys and girls?!! Me: <oh no, did some boy tell her today that girls can’t love dragons?> What, sweet girl? Claire: Girls can wear BOTH dresses and pants, but boys can wear ONLY pants. […]

Claire (6yrs): Mom, my birthday is coming up. Me: Yup. Claire: And it might be time for you to start visiting toy stores. You know, to scope them out. For me. Me: Uh huh. Mental note taken. Claire: Because, you see, picking out the right gifts for a growing girl is a serious matter. Me: […]

At the butterfly exhibit at the Museum of Natural Science: Holly: Annalise, do you like butterflies? [excited] Annalise (3yrs): [looks around quizzically at the hundreds of beautiful butterflies twittering about; then she forms a slightly unimpressed frown, and answers, thoughtful yet decidedly] No. I just like caterpillars. Holly: O_o