Rachelisms of the last few days

As many of you may know, I've been preoccupied the last two weeks or so planning a work-related trip to Africa. One or another aspect of the trip has fallen through, and then I've rescued it, all the while renewing my passport and obtaining visas and immunizations, thinking about whether or not to bring a laptop, camera, etc. etc. etc.

Yesterday I received word that the countries we wanted to visit were vetoed by the university's lawyer, who considers them too dangerous. So now the plan is to head to South Africa and possibly Tanzania/Zanzibar/Lesotho/Swaziland at the end of November/beginning of December (yes, I will be back in time for the first night of Hanukkah).

The point is, all of this has made my life extremely stressful the last two weeks or so and that's why I haven't been posting (or even writing down) a lot of the wonderful things Rachel says every day. She is such a bright light in our lives that it's hard to capture all of her down on paper. But I try, even when my life feels as if it's falling apart. So here's a sample:

***

The other day we were driving to school and discussing the ant problem we have in our bathroom. For some reason the ants have decided that the bathtub is THE place to party in the Lednicer/DeSilver household. Accordingly, Drew has talked to Rachel about how he needs to caulk the grout between the tiles because he thinks that's how the creatures are getting in.

"Why would there be ANTS in the bathroom?" I wondered aloud to Rachel. "It's not like we keep food in there. Ants usually show up in places where there's food."

"Maybe they already have the food and they're looking for drinks," she said helpfully. "And without thinking, they're drinking the soapy water."

That's as sensible an explanation as any, I guess.

***

Tonight we went to Powell's and read some books Rachel picked out. I told her on the way to the bookstore that she will be very spoiled when she grows up because Powell's is the best bookstore in the universe and that she'll expect every bookstore to be like it.

We left later than I wanted to, and I kept saying, "C'mon, Rachel, it's time to go."
"I wish we could stay longer," she whimpered.
"I bet you'd want to stay all night," I answered. "We have to go."
"OK, I can take it," she replied. "But only if we come back tomorrow."

Drew, I think that's your cue....

***

I mentioned during dinner tonight that Swaziland is a kingdom and that Mommy might be going there next month, and Rachel immediately asked if there was a queen, princesses, princes, etc. I told her that I probably wouldn't get to meet the king while I was there.

"Why not?" she said.
"I'm not a very important person," I replied.
"C'mon, you're a magazine editor!" she said. "That's important!"
I cracked up so hard that I pounded the table. That kid is funny.

***

This morning Rachel sensed that I was in a stressed, sad mood. Totally out of the blue, just before I started brushing her teeth, she looked at me and said:

"You're the best mommy you can be!"
"Are you sure?" I said sadly.
"YES!" she replied, and my mood immediately brightened.