Rachel and Mommy have a talk

Here is what Rachel said to me when I told her to choose stockings and get herself dressed this morning:

"If YOU don't treat ME like a grownup, I won't treat YOU like a grownup."

Well, you can imagine how well that went over with Mommy. Drew came into the room just as I was saying, "I AM a grownup because I'm the Mommy. Don't you ever say that again." Drew backed me up and of course that sent Rachel into a crying tailspin, but I held firm. When Drew left the room I took her into my lap and told her firmly that she couldn't say things like that to Mommy. She sniffled and then cuddled against me.

I thought that was the end of it until tonight, over dinner, when she said, "I'm sorry I said mean things to you, Mommy," with a very sad expression.

"What mean things?" I said, astonished.

"When I said, 'if you don't treat me like a grownup, I won't treat you like a grownup,'" she said. "I'm sorry."

All I could say was, "thank you for apologizing, sweetie."

At that time I also apologized for snapping at her when she called out, "hey Mama!" while I was changing clothes today. She had broken into my thoughts. But that wasn't an excuse for me to bark at her, and she started crying. Whereupon I took her into my lap in the glider and told her I was sorry. I asked for her forgiveness and she said yes.

***

As I was helping her get into what I've told her are my favorite jammies -- princess-themed flannel ones; the top has glittery purple buttons, and, yes, I would get a pair myself if they made them for adults -- we were sitting on her carpet and she said severely, "I hope you realize that you're sitting in my garden." (Her carpet has big flowers on it). "These are tulips and daisies!"

***

"It's hard being a little girl," she said as she got into bed.
"Why?" I asked.
"Sing me 'Babyface,' please," she replied (it's one of the songs my chorus is learning).
"Not until you tell me what's hard about being a little girl," I answered.
"You tell me what dinner we're going to have," she said. "And I want different dinners!"

***

Here's Rachel's version of one-upmanship:

"Mommy, I love you very very very very very very very much," she said at dinner. "I love you as big as the whole school!"
Me: I love you as big as the universe!
Rachel: I love you as big as a flower!
Me: I love you as big as a garden!
Rachel: I love you as big as a teacup!
Me: I love you as big as a plate!
Rachel: I love you as big as my room!
Me: I love you as big as the kitchen!

Pause.

Rachel: I love you as big as a whole BOAT! How about THAT?