Just had to post these comments

Rachel's latest word is "askident." As in, it was an "askident" that she did something that she shouldn't have. I'm resisting teaching her the correct version of the word because I prefer hers!

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Rachel chose a pair of pink and yellow striped leggings to wear today (she had very little choice; I had packed up all her clothes for our trip to NYC and put them in my suitcase. Tried to get as much done last night as possible so that I get the minimum amount of sleep tonight to function).

Me, after pulling on her tights: You haven't worn these in a while!
Rachel: Warm.
Me: No, WORN.
Rachel: Worn. Like Joseph and his overcoat!
Me (astonished): Yes, like the book! (we've been reading a book about Joseph and his overcoat..."Joseph had an overcoat. It was old and worn." But we hadn't picked up the book for quite a while and I was amazed she made the connection between "worn" (past tense of wear) and "worn" (old). Wow!

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We will be bringing gifts back East. Rachel noticed the wrapping paper in the dining room and asked what it was. I told her it was to wrap presents.

"Can I have a present?" she asked.
"Sure," I said vaguely.
"Can I have a present with flowers on it?" she said. "That would be very pretty."
"Yes, for your birthday," I said.
"I want flowers on my cake!" she answered.
(So far it looks like I'll be baking a chocolate cake with pink frosting and chocolate chips and flowers on top. Whew!)

***

On the way to school this morning, Rachel got mad that I couldn't understand something she said. So she started crying, and I snapped at her that there was nothing to cry about; sometimes I just can't understand her.

All was quite for a while, until she started taking leftover granola in her lap and throwing it on the seat next to her.

"I wanna make a big mess," she said firmly.
"Why?" I asked.
"Because I'm mad at you," she answered.
"Why are you mad at me?" I said.
"Because you're TALKING to me!" she said, exasperated. So, I went silent. Until a few minutes later she informed me that she doesn't like Beginners, she doesn't like the friends there, she doesn't like to play at school. In fact, the doesn't like school at all.

The only things she likes are "Mom and Daddy and coloring."

Ah, kids these days....