Paul: Sometimes I can see inside my brain.
Mom: Wow, what’s it look like?
Paul: Three penguins walking in a squiggly line.
The American Girl doll catalog arrived unbidden at our house, and I watched Annie enjoy it in precisely the same way as I enjoy CB2 and Design Within Reach. She is blissfully ignorant that the content is for sale.
[Annie, 45 minutes after bedtime. Her 3rd appearance at her door, and perhaps the 10th time we’ve intervened since 7:30.]
Annie: Mom, can I have one more question?
Me: Annie, I’m really disappointed to see you out of bed. This is the time to be resting our bodies.
Annie: But Mom, I needed to tell you that Paul shared some of his lovies with me.
Me: Okay, but I don’t understand why you needed to get out of bed and tell me that, or—Paul shouldn’t be—he shouldn’t be out of bed either, even sharing lovies.
Annie: But Mom, I just wanted to tell you about kindness.
[Beat]
Me, with a softer tone: Oh gosh, Annie. I do, I do like hearing about kindness. But—
Annie: And it’s a dog family. Okay, goodnight.
Me: Goodnight.
Annie: Mom, do you know who I love the most?
Me: Who?
Annie: My whole family.
Me: That’s LOVELY, Annie. Goodnight.
Annie: Goodnight!
[10 minutes later, still listening to them chatter]
text message from our deck contractor:
Jesus is coming by Sunday to excavate under your house.
Have a great weekend!
Paul wants to know, “Is every single thing in the world a shape?”