founding fathers

Emma and I just returned from our vacation to the Black Hills of South Dakota. While there we visited the most beautiful sites including the impressive Mount Rushmore. Along the way we also frequented many stores with various souveniers for tourists like us. One particular T-shirt drew Emma's attention -- the shirt had a picture of the four founding fathers carved into the rock with an additional picture of four famous Native American chiefs. The text on the shirt says "The Original Founding Fathers."

Emma: Who are these guys that are on the shirt? Are they presidents, too?

Me: They are the chiefs that were here before the United States was formed and ruled over their tribes and the land.

Emma: So they were presidents!

Me: I guess you could call them that.

Emma: So the brown ones were here first!?! They started it!!!

Me: Right, they did.

Emma with such pride and satisfaction gave the infamous fist pump with an enthusiastic "YESSS!!!"

you know, boys...

After a long weekend at her Dad's, Emma and I were catching up.

Me: Sounds like a great weekend, Emma. But I sure missed you... so glad you're home!

Emma: I missed you, too, Mommy. One day I cried in my room.

Me: Oh, really? What was going on that made you so sad? Did you tell your Daddy you were sad?

Emma: Nothing, I was just in my room and I missed you so it made me cry. I didn't tell Daddy. He's a boy and, you know, he doesn't know how to work it out.

Me: Oh, I see.

Emma: He wasn't there so I just cried a little.

Me: What do you mean he wasn't there? Where was he?

Emma: He wasn't in my room. He was in his room watching his TV. You know how boys are.

Here's to hoping this early insight to the male psyche will save her a few unnecessary heart aches!

Boys are crazy!

We were driving along a residetial street when a huge pick up truck with tires about the size of a compact vehicle revvs past us weaving in and out of traffic. As it is revving it also

Me: (mostly muttering to myself) Why would anyone really need a truck that size??

Emma: (obviously listening in to my private conversation with myself) I tell you what, Mommy, boys are crazy!

Me: Well, at times it seems that way, huh?

Emma: Those boys should just sometimes walk and leave those polluting trucks at home!

There is hope for a cleaner tomorrow yet... :)

Sorry is not going to do it...

As Emma was being dropped off from school ...

Emma: Mommy I have a problem.

Me: What's that?

Emma: I can't do it without my two jackets! (erupting in mournful outright wail)

Earlier in the week I had given some slightly used clothes to her friend who is a size or two smaller.

Me: But love, you didn't want to wear the brown one for last several times when I suggested and both of them are a few years old and will not fit you anymore next winter.

Emma: (in the midst of sobbing) They are my two special favorite coats! I can't have Brianna have them.

Me: I'm sorry, I should have checked with you, but you never wanted to wear either one, so I thought you wouldn't mind. What if it's Brianna's turn to have special coats?

Emma: No, Mommy. She throws them on the ground and it really hurts my feelings. I never wanted to wear them, because I didn't want them to get dirty or rip. They are so special to me. (again NO breaks in the sobbing!)

Me: I am so sorry, Emma. I did not know any of this.

Emma: Sorry is just not going to do it, Mommy...

There was no mention of any of this in the advanced theories of family development!!! All those credit hours gone to waste...

Birthday Girl

Night before Emma's seventh birhtday. We're doing our nightly ritual and get to the goodnight story. I look over at Emma.

Me: It's the last time I get to read a story to my six-year-old... what happened to my little girl? (I'm smiling but tear are welling up in my eyes - I know I can be pretty pathetic at times.)

Emma: I know! ... Mommy are you crying?

Me: A little bit, but mostly happy tears. I'm really excited that you have a birthday and you are growing up, but sometimes I miss my little girl.

Emma: (stroking my hair) It's okay Mommy. I'll always be your little girl, no matter how many birthdays come.

.... I sure hope she remembers that when those evil teenage hormones start taking over. I certainly will.

worldly wisdom

Emma: Mommy, I know the S-word. It's a bad word...

Me: I see. What word is that?

Emma: Shut up. (anticipation of my reaction apparent in her tone...)

Me: You're right. That's not such a nice word to use.

Emma: I also know the F-word!

Me: (oh, no. here we go, all the good innocent days are fading... already??) Right. And which word is that?

Emma: (silence) Phoney!! (big eyes stating 'I can't believe I said that to my mom!') -- Is that a bad word.

Me: (holding back relief and satisfaction) Well,... it can be a not-so-nice thing to say about someone. It would probably hurt someone's feelings if you called them with that name.

Emma: I know.

...

Emma: I also know the other S-word.

Me: (can't this be over already??) Which one is that?

Emma: Stupid!

Me: Yeah, that's an old one we've talked about before. Not a nice thing to say. right?

Emma: Right. I don't like it. Some kids use it all the time. I remember I used it when I was three and my friend got upset. I don't use it.

Me: I remember that. I'm really proud of you that you try to be kind to others. That makes a good friend.

Emma: **shy smile**

i think i helped her a little bit

Emma: Mommy there's something I need to tell you about.

Me: Okay, love. What is it?

Emma: I'm feeling really sad. It's about Bonnie. Her grandpa died when she was one. He was the first one to hold her and he even fed her, but he's died

Me: Oh, that is sad. Sounds like Bonnie had a sweet grandpa.

Emma: Yeah, makes me sad.

Me: I think Bonnie was really loved by her grandpa, huh?

Emma: She said she was sad in class and I told her we need to talk about it on the hill during recess. So we did. She told me and I think I helped her a little bit. But I was sad too.

Me: I know sweetie. You are a good friend and I can see that you helped her by listening and being there.

I am one proud Mommy! My girl has such a