triptych

"I don't know why. I just flushed the straw down the toilet."

...

"I SAID I don't know. Okay, settle down. [settle down hand motions] I know now. The toilet looked a little thirsty."

...

"Well you like to drink with a straw. I do, too. Hey, why are you making that face at me? Am I making you bonkers?"

simple wishes this christmas

I was picking up some little crafty things at the store for teacher gifts we are making, and I happened upon tiny personalized snow globes that were like 4 bucks each. Caroline's other snow globe lost its luster after she took it to school for the "expression basket" (hippie show and tell, in other words). It seems some vigorous shaking by cohorts dislodged the snowman in the scene and he was floating around, as she said, "Like he was in outer space, but without a space suit."

So I picked up the last Caroline snow globe for her, and I couldn't wait a whole two weeks to give it to her.

Her reaction was even better than I expected.

"Oh my goodness, it's a little snow globe. It's absolutely beautiful, Mom. Thank you so very much. That little snowman inside is absolutely perfect. And it's beautiful with the snow and the globe. I just... I just don't think I want anything else for Christmas. This surprise is the best present I could ever want. Absolutely ever!"

I told her I was glad she liked it, and that it made me happy to see her enjoy it. And then I started teasing about maybe letting Santa know that nothing could beat out this little snow globe and that she didn't want anything else.

"Oh, yeah. I forgot about Santa. Well he's probably in Europe right now anyway, so we shouldn't -- um, just don't bother him."

in search of a pet

"Mama, what was that big yellow tent at the zoo?"

I told her it was for a pet adoption fair.

"Oh, we should go. I'm really looking for an emu."

if you get a gift from her, don't open it

After a very productive bathroom break, she walked into the hall, stretched, and announced, "Yep. All ready for the holidays!"

yay, we haven't totally ruined her!

Saturday, Caroline went to a party for her school friend Sophia. They actually rarely play together as they are entirely different creatures (Sophia is a petite fleur -- all demure, dainty, quiet, and sweet), but Caroline thinks everyone in her class is her best friend. So she was super excited to get invited, and was thrilled when she heard the venue.

The party was at the butterfly garden at the zoo, which is a pretty awesome place for a 4 year old's birthday party. There were games, zoo tours, cake, goody bags full of little trinkets and candy, etc.

When she got home and showed me her loot, I asked her, "What was your favorite thing about the zoo party?"

"Hmmmm," She thought for a moment before lighting up. "Seeing Sophia!"

a lawyer in the making

Caroline: Mama, say what I say.

Mama: Uh, ok.

Caroline: I may...

Mama: I may...

Caroline: No, I may!

Mama: Oh, ok. You may...

Caroline: Play.

Mama: Play.

Caroline: alldaylongwithanythingIwant and nothavetogotobed.

Mama: Wait a minute...

Caroline: No, you say it!

baby sister is maturing rapidly

Caroline: Mom! Mom! MOM! It's snowing, it's really snowing. Let's put on our mittens and our hats and our coats. Let's go outside and play and then have hot chocolate -- maybe with marshmallows, or maybe without marshmallows? We'll put on some clothes first, but let's go! It's SNOWING!!!!

Mom: Well, we can't go outside right now. Sylvie has a cold.

Caroline: We should probably have her stay inside then.

Mom: She can't stay inside by herself, dear.

Caroline: But she's kind of responsible...

career in nursing: unlikely

Baby sister Sylvie has very severe reflux. She spends the majority of her day crying, sleeping, eating, and hurling. While Sylvie is definitely more tired of this routine than the rest of us, Caroline is apparently feeling the strain herself.

Caroline: MOOOOO-OOOMMMMMMM, Sylvie just spit up again!

Mom: Ok, I'll be right there.

Caroline: [muttered to Sylvie] You're so busted!

good little american

"Mom, can I have your credit card?"

I asked why.

"I'm feeling a little spendy."

putting a fire under it

Caroline: Hello, ma'am. I'm a firegirl, and don't worry, but your house is on fire, ma'am. I am going to put it out with my hose here [points at rolled up belt].

Mama: Oh good, thank you. I don't want to have my house burn down.

Caroline: Ma'am, I'll take care of it. You just sit there, ma'am. It will be, umm, about 10 hours until the fire is down.

Mama: 10 hours?!

Caroline: Ma'am, I'm a firegirl. I'm not a superhero.