There are some days I wish Rachel would never grow up. Today is one of those days.

Here's why: we somehow got into a conversation about gymnastics and the Olympics, and Rachel decided she wanted to watch the Olympics on TV tonight (after we played in the park across from school with Sadie, one of her little friends). She was enchanted by my suggestion that we watch the Olympics in our jammies. We got home, had a quick dinner -- I am eating down every food item we have in the freezer in an attempt to continue the decluttering process I began earlier this year -- and then we walked upstairs...only to find men's swimming. Which was perfectly fine with Rachel; she got to explain the Olympics to her My Little Pony figurines. During a commercial she insisted on changing into her jammies and asked me to do so, too (I ended up staying in my clothing) and she snuggled up against me on the loveseat and finally gymnastics came on.

I would say that my commentary was on par with the TV folks. I pointed out to Rachel why the American women gymnasts did so much better on the vault that their Russian counterparts. "The Russians were TERRIBLE!" I said, and there is nothing funnier than hearing a 4-year-old echo, "The Russians were TERRIBLE!" several times as she went to bed. "I like it with just you and me," Rachel said as she snuggled up to me while watching the competition.

I had told her that because she got to watch the Olympics, we wouldn't have time for a story. "How about cuddling in bed?" she asked hopefully. "I don't think so," I answered. "Are you OK with that?" "Sort of," she answered sadly, so I gave in and we sang "Roll on Columbia" (her current obsession) together. Afterward we had this exchange:

Me (kissing Rachel goodnight): Thank you for being my daughter.
Rachel: Thank you for being my mommy.
Me: It's my pleasure!
Rachel: It's my pleasure being your daughter!

***

Other things Rachel said tonight:

"I like the endings of stories. 'Cause 'they lived happily ever after' is a good ending!"

"Do you love me even when I'm naughty?" Rachel asked during dinner.
"Of course!" I answered. "Why do you ask?
"I wanna know," she answered.

We were listening to "Free to Be You and Me," and the song was about a girl who didn't like her grandma. At one point in the song, she yelled at her -- and immediately apologized after the grandma started to cry.

"She shouldn't have yelled at her grandma," Rachel said. "I will NEVER do that do you, Grandma, or Grandpa."

Couldn't help myself. I teared up a bit.