I’ve said plenty it of times before and I’ll say it again and again. I love my girls.
They are smart, funny, confident, exasperating, tenacious, enthusiastic, caring, impatient, energetic, crazy…and they’re all mine.
Mommy, Will You Quit Your Job?
That’s what little Sophie asked me yesterday afternoon. When I was in my bedroom, doing some reading for work. She bounded up the stairs to find me, sat down on my bed and asked, point blank, “Mommy, will you quit your job?”
Revelation
I had a small epiphany while we were at dinner tonight.
Chloe was wearing her annoyed face because I told her she had to wait until she was at least 13 or 14 before she could watch “The Black Swan.” We’ve had this conversation before and she insisted that I once told her she could watch it when she was 12.
I have no recollection of saying that, and if I did, I should be reported to the authorities – because what was I thinking?
In any case, Chloe was pissed off at my alleged change to the minimum age for this movie. So she was pouting big time.
Papa then started to imitate her grouchy face. And it was perfect. He nailed the downturned mouth. And for a couple of seconds, there was no doubting the father-daughter connection.
77 and Four 4s
Chloe’s math teacher gave the kids a challenge. Using the number 4 exactly four times in an equation, arrive at the numbers 1-100 in the answers.
I Love You So
“I love you so.” That’s what Sophie and I say to each other. It’s a very simple phrase and, in of itself, there’s nothing incredibly special about it. But I just adore the inflection in her voice when she responds, “I love you so, too.” It’s warm and fuzzy, and makes me want to squeeze her in a huge bear hug.
No matter how old Sophie is or how much she grows, she’ll always be my huggable, cuddly, loving little Sophie.
The End of an Era
The other night, our beloved babysitter, Esperanza, announced that she was planning to retire in October. I knew the day would eventually arrive, but I still cried when she told me. We lovingly refer to her as the girls’ second grandmother.
The Confiscation Box
Chloe has decreed that every other Friday night is going to be game night. I know, some of you are groaning at the thought of having to play board games. Papa hates board games. I sometimes hate them. But deep down inside, both Papa and I were flattered that Chloe still wants to play games with us. It likely won’t last much longer.
Sophie’s Having a Baby!
Sophie stuffed a soccer ball underneath her pajamas the other night and pretended to have a baby in her belly. I then took the soccer ball and stuffed it under my shirt so she could see what I looked like when she was in my belly. I got a big guffaw out of her for that one.
Sleeping Beauty
Sophie woke up yesterday morning claiming that she had trouble falling asleep the night before. I looked at her and said, “Really?” Then I pulled out this picture and showed it to her. As it turns out, Papa snapped this photo of Sophie the night before passed out on the bed. He hadn’t yet finished reading to her.
Sophie Bouncing
Remember these? For the first day of daylight savings time, we enjoyed a beautiful springlike afternoon. To celebrate the glorious weather, Papa inflated a bouncy ball that Sophie proceeded to steer all around the yard. And we arrived home from dinner, she got in a few extra minutes of exercise by bouncing around the kitchen.
I love this age. Six years old – still so innocent, but old enough to be somewhat independent. Still silly, but so endearingly earnest. And most of all, still completely into mom and dad. The day Sophie stops wanting to smother me in kisses and hugs will be the day I age five additional years.