Sad duckie

Rachel has developed a fondness for a song I used to sing to her when she was a baby and revived the other day: "Five Little Ducks." As in, "Five little ducks went out to play/over the hills and far away/Mother Duck went quack quack quack/and only four little duckies came back.." Then when all her duckies are gone, "Sad Mother Duck goes out one day...." and all her duckies come back.

Rachel said today on the drive down to Salem: "Mother Duck sad."
"Yes," I said. "Just like Mommy would be said if you went away."
"I no go 'WAY!" she said firmly.
Later, I heard her say to an imaginary small duckie, "NO, baby duckie, don't hit Mommy Duckie! I don't LIKE that!"

***

At daycare, Teacher Jennifer told me tonight that Jaxson, one little boy that Rachel mentions a lot, was having trouble opening his lunch pack, since the plastic was holding it closed. "Help me!" he said, looking at Rachel.
And Rachel jumped right in to try to help, but couldn't. "I can't!!" she said despairingly.
Jennifer said it was the cutest thing in the world to watch Rachel try to help her classmate!

***

Tonight, as we got off the highway on the drive home, Rachel said, "I put on my mittens!" (really, her socks, which she puts on her hands)
"Rachel?!?" I said in mock despair. "WHY did you take off your SOCKS?"
"Because," she said.
"Because WHY?" I asked.
"Because it's funny," she said, and I had to crack up.

***

"I want to give James a big hug and a big kiss!" she said as we pulled into the garage. So I let her out and she immediately hugged and kissed James, who was writing a letter to his mom on his computer in the kitchen. He was gracious enough to pull her onto his lap and "read" a book about Clifford the Dog to her. She looked so content, and I was so glad for a precious two minutes to take off my coat, get dinner warming and take off my jewelry. Minutes that I don't usually have to myself.

But I know it's time for Drew to come home for a visit because after dinner, when James and I were talking and Rachel was again on his lap, she referred to him as "Daddy."