Ada: Mans are mans and girls are girls!

Grace: Repeat after me.  I
Eli: I
Grace: Say your name
Eli: Say your… I mean, Eli

Pumping gas…
Ada: There’s regular, silver, and ultimate.  Why aren’t you getting silver?  Our van is silver.
Me: It doesn’t matter what color your car is, you can get whichever gas you want.
Ada: So what color is the regular gas?
Me: The gas isn’t colored, the silver gas isn’t silver.
Ada: Well, can I have more information about this?
I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to the way she thinks and talks.  I … Read the rest

Ada had four cavities filled and a root canal recently.  Picture if you will…Ada in polka dot sunglasses, a hot pink nitrous oxide hose on her nose, enjoying cable TV cartoons, and multiple shots of novocaine.  

Mom!  I can’t feel my chin.  Poke it.  Right here.  Poke my chin.  I didn’t feel that!

My sister is nine and my brother is ten.  AH!  I mean eight.  My brother is eight.

I speak weirdly and I can’t whistle.  Watch.

My cheek is fat.  Does my cheek look fat?

I’m six and a half.  My birthday is right after Jesus’ birthday. (she … Read the rest

Me: I’m going to walk down to Taylor to get the car.  I will let you stay here.  Can you make good choices while I’m gone?
Eli: Yes.
Grace: Yes.
Ada: Maybe.

Me: Grace, did you finish your laundry?
Grace: Yes.
Me: Did you put it back in your room?
Grace: Silence…
Ada: That’s a no.
20 minutes later.
Me: Did you finish your laundry?
Grace: Yes.
Me: Did you put it back in your room?
Grace: Yes.
Me: OK.  Please brush your hair and-
Grace: OH!  You mean – oh – I didn’t – oh – I need to … Read the rest