not to be confused with "deflated"

Caroline: Daddy, will you carry me upstairs?

Daddy: No, I'm too tired.

Caroline: [sigh] Wow. I feel like a balloon that has been popped.

thanksgiving

The kids at school made paper turkeys, decorated them with feathers, and inscribed the things for which they are most thankful.

There were lots of answers of "Mom" and "my family" and even "animals," though a few kids spiced it up with "Trick or Treating" and "Earth" and various favorite foods. I found Caroline's turkey last. On it, scrawled with an introductory backwards S, looking just as preschool cliche as possible, it said "STUFFEDOGS" [sic].

nervousness debunked

Mama: Tomorrow, I have to pay for your ballet recital costume.

Caroline: Wait, you mean I have to wear something special on a big stage?

Mama: Yes, the recital is in June. You have plenty of time to practice.

Caroline: I don't know about the stage and the tutu...

Mama: [surprised at the hesitation] Oh you'll be fine! Don't be nervous.

Caroline: No, I mean, what color roses are you guys going to throw to me on the stage? It needs to match.

second verse interlude

Caroline was sitting at her dad's desk, singing along with her itunes playlist. She sang all the words to one of her favorite songs. At about halfway through, she shouted, "SINGING CAT!" and then started belting out the rest of the tune exclusively in meows.

making dad proud

Chuck was battling the leaves in our front yard while Caroline twirled around holding her beloved toy dog, Nesty. She tripped on uneven ground and landed face-first on the ground. She stood up and her face was covered in dirt, and there was dirt all over her tongue.

She was not hurt, and I tried to hide the giggles as I brought her in and told her we'd clean her up. I started to walk into the kitchen, and she called out, "Wait!" and ran to the mirror in the foyer to check herself out.

"Ewwww," she said as she stuck out her tongue and saw a bunch of dirt on it. Then she checked both sides of her muddy face, snarled in a menacing way, and said, "Wow. I look like a football player."

well, that would be funny

Caroline hit her elbow on the coffee table and winced and complained.

"Did you hit your funny bone?" I asked.

"Funny bone? It's not a funny bone. My elbow is a serious bone. If it was a funny bone, it would do this!" Then she began doing the chicken dance elbow flap. "All. The. Time."

fairly accurate

"Sylvie's crazy. She's bonkers. She's Bonkerella. But I'm not Bonkerella. I'm more like half cutie and half bonkers."

a revelation

"I don't even like having parents."

in the holiday spirit

"Mama, I think I am running out of space on my Christmas list. I think I need to breathe deep and open up some room in my brain"

understanding her target market

"Mama, I would like to add the doggy pillow pet to my Christmas list."

I told her I would add it for her and thanked her for the information.

She added with raised eyebrows and a smile, "You know, it's machine washable..."