i'm sure it's going to last

Caroline had some big news today at pickup. Nick said he likes her.

So tonight when Chuck got home from work, I said, "Big news, Dad. Nick said he likes her!"

Caroline started jumping up and down and clapping.

Chuck celebrated with her and said, "Well, it's always nice when someone you like likes you back."

And with all the excited sincerity in the world, Caroline smiled and gushed, "And he doesn't think I'm crazy at all. Isn't that the sweetest ever?"

patting herself on the back

At preschool pickup, I waited in a side room with Sylvie and sent Caroline to get her jacket. I heard her talking to one of the parents in the hallway, but didn't hear the specifics of the conversation.

She came back to the room where we were waiting and very happily announced, "Mom, I was so polite. I had to go in front of that dad, and I said, 'Excuuuuse me. Can I just bounce right through here real quick, please?' Is that good manners or what?!"

demystifying babies

As we walked into the dance studio for her ballet class, Caroline spotted a woman standing next to a stroller. The stroller contained a baby. For some reason, other people's babies are much more interesting than her own baby sister.

Caroline: Wow! That's one cute baby you got there!

Woman: [surprised] Oh, well that's so nice of you to say. Thank you!

Caroline: No problem at all. What's her name?

Woman: Her name is Allison.

Caroline: Oh great name for a great baby! Hi Allison! [to the mother] I'm saying hello to your baby.

Woman: She'll say hello right back to you!

Caroline: Hiiiii!

The baby waved to Caroline.

Caroline: [to the mother] Did you see that? She waved. That's her baby way of communicating.

if the name fits

Sylvie, who is now 20 months old, tried to swipe something from Caroline's plate. Big sister was protective of her food and clamped her hands over it. Sylvie began her patented screech/wail. Caroline gave her some of the food to end our suffering, and toddler sister happily munched away.

Caroline sighed and shook her head and said, "Little Miss Caveman."

friendship favors

Caroline had decided that she didn't like the little spots where the stems were once attached to her grape tomatoes. She brought her plate to the kitchen and declared it a problem.

I tried in vain to remind her that just the other day, she smuggled out about 2 dozen of the things and had no problem with the stem spot.

We gave up and Chuck cut off the tippy top of the tiny tomatoes and handed the plate back to her.

"Thanks, Dad. You're a real pal."

unrequited crush

"You know, I have a crush on Nick. And he doesn't have a crush on me. And that's ok. I don't really care. It's fun just to have a crush on him."

Then a pause.

Then she raspberried. Pbbbbtttttthhhhhh.

Then, as if seeking solidarity, "Ok, parents, let us raspberry together."

we all do from time to time

She was going on and on about how she couldn't see anything while she was still a wee baby in my stomach, and she was getting so animated that she tripped on her words.

"I-- I-- I..."

Then she giggled, "Oh, excuse me."

She shrugged and grinned and said, "I just had a little speak incident with my words, there."

he buries his funny bone in the backyard

"You know what I like about Reuben? That dog has a good sense of humor."

like an ocean breeze

Caroline was sitting in Chuck's lap, and they were chatting.

Caroline: Dad, you just spit on me a little bit when you were talking.

Chuck: Oh, I sprayed it instead of said it?

Caroline: Yeah.

Chuck: I'm sorry.

Caroline: Don't be. I found it refreshing.

special blend of herbs and spices

Somehow during breakfast this morning, Caroline's foot accidentally ended up in her cereal bowl.

After wiping up the spill, she continued eating her Mini Wheats.

I teased, "Oh it still tastes good, huh? Your foot didn't ruin it?"

She said, "I actually think my foot gave it a little something extra. For real. You might want to try it sometime."

in a fevered state

Caroline has Influenza A, and her main symptom is a fever. She otherwise seems pretty ok. But with a days-long fever comes some quirks and intolerance for... life.

Friday night, her fever was very high, so I sat by her bed in the dark and put cool washcloths on her head. After a long time of quiet and rest, I thought she was finally asleep. She proved me wrong when she turned to me very suddenly and shrieked, "What are we going to do about Reuben's breath?! That dog's mouth stinks. I can't take it. We have to start brushing his teeth or something."

When I told her Reuben wasn't even upstairs with us, and she should go back to sleep, she said, "I know. But the disgusting memory is in my brain, and I can't get rid of it. I can't sleep until we have a plan for the stink."

...

Monday she was laying on the couch in a flu-ish malaise, and she wanted to go upstairs. I told her she could go up if she wanted to.

She asked me to carry her.

I laughed, a little surprised, and started to deny that request when she interrupted me with, "Mama, I know what you are going to say. I have two legs. They work. And there are two legs and they do work, most of the time. But I have a fever, and that means my legs have a fever. So if you could just carry me this one time, that would be great."

I stared at her.

"Also, I love you, Mama."

...

We sent an email to her teacher explaining that she would likely be out most of this week, and she requested I include a message just from her.

"M-, I miss you. I hope I'm better soon so I can see you at my class. I like you better than the TV. And you smell better too."

earning potential

Caroline: Mama, can kids get jobs?

Mama: Uh, no. There are laws against that.

Caroline: How am I going to make enough money to buy a hot pink car, then?

can i use you as a reference?

Mama: Caroline! Stop sticking your hands in my face. Why are you touching me?

Caroline: [giggling] You're too much fun to play with. You're like a swingset, only better!

Mama: You are only playing with someone if they are enjoying the "fun."

Caroline: You're so much fun! [giggling more] You're like a fair!

an important announcement

I was hard at work making soup when Caroline walked into the kitchen.

"Mom, I have to tell you something serious."

Oh dear. I asked her to go on.

"I'm afraid... Well..."

I started getting nervous when she busted out with the news.

"I don't look good in red."

another day older, another day of potential

Bleary-eyed, I greeted Caroline in this morning.

"Good morning Mama! Today, I am four and three quarters!"

Yes, indeed, she's 4 3/4 now.

"Now that I'm so mature, maybe my big idea will come true."

What idea is that?

"I'm going to transform into a fairy or mermaid."

Hmmmmm.

"It's going to happen one day. Why not today?"