when I grow up, again

At dinner Ella announced, "When I grow up I want to be a supermodel."

"Really?" I asked, wondering where she'd gotten the idea.

"Well," she smiled, "I've always had the poses, haven't I?"

For those of you who remember Lauren's last declaration of what she wants to be when she grows up, it will come as no surprise that she replied, "When I grow up, I want to be a penguin."

how do they know?

A few days ago, one of our primary teachers had a baby girl. Little Vera Harell was born at 24 weeks weighing just over a pound, and faces a long road ahead of her. Today we let the primary children color a banner that reads, "We love you, Vera!" and make cards for Vera's anxious parents. The children seemed to know just what to write.

One little girl wrote, "Dear Vera, my family fasted for you. Grow big!"

Ella drew a mother, father and baby and in bold capital letters wrote, "LOV IS WITH YOU."

My favorite was one little boy's inspired contribution. He cut out a small piece of green paper and simply wrote, "hope."

grandpa's girl

I picked up some Twizzlers for a treat. I gave one to Lauren and she beamed, "It's just not a good day without licorice!"

belonging

When I picked up Lauren from her preschool classroom she was smiling. That was normal. But as we walked to the car, I noticed the smile hadn't left her face.

"How was preschool today?" I asked her.

"Good." She stopped walking to look up at me. "Ava and her best friend like me now."

"They do?"

"Yes," she said, turning toward the car. "For real."

safari best

As we drove to church, I wondered to myself which shoes Ella had chosen to wear. Her brown mary janes would have been my choice, but she made it to the car before I could advise her. When we arrived, my question was answered. She climbed out of the car and stood there on the sidewalk before me wearing a darling purple, ruffled dress and . . . rain boots. Giraffe rain boots. I sighed. I decided it didn't really matter. And just as well. I only had time to say the same thing I say every Sunday morning when we arrive at church: "Hurry, girls! We're gonna be late."