Conversations with Rachel

Today on the way to work, I called Rachel a "silly goose."

Then I wondered aloud, "Why silly goose, Rachel? Why not silly elephant?"

"NO silly elephant!" she said. "Don't SAY that!"

"Why not silly gorilla?" I said, teasing her.

"NO silly gorilla!" she said. "Don't SAY that!"

Then she picked it up from there.

"Why not silly hippopotamus?" she said.

***

Lately when she doesn't want to eat the rest of her food she'll say, "Take it AWAY, Mommy!"

***

We're reading a bedtime book about some mean girls who tease two nice girls with glasses who are "two of a kind." The mean girls are named Melanie and Kayla; the nice girls are Anna and Julisa.

When I read the part that talked about Kayla and Melanie on top of the jungle gym and not inviting anyone to join them, Rachel pointed to the picture of Kayla and said sternly, "Kayla. Go to BED!"

***

I told her that we need to go to the library next weekend to turn in the books we have and get new ones. She said the following sentence that would warm any mom's heart:

"I LOVE the library!"

***

Earlier tonight she kept whining and crying that she wanted to cuddle. I think she was just tired -- we got to daycare an hour earlier than usual because I had an 8:30 a.m. meeting -- and she immediately fell asleep as soon as we got on the highway.
When we finally cuddled in the "big chair" (i.e., the glider in the bedroom) tonight, she said:

"No tickle."
"No tickle, Rachel? How about kissing?"
"No kissing," she said firmly. "Just hugging."

***

"I go pumpkin patch!" she said excitedly tonight. They must have told all the toddlers that they're going on a field trip in two weeks to look at pumpkins at a pumpkin patch. "On bus," Rachel said. "I go on bus. You go too, Mommy." I'm sure it'll be a great day for her, especially if it includes a hayride, apple slices, apple cider, pumpkins....wish I could help chaperone but I don't have enough vacation time. Sigh.