Her Heart Is So Good.

Tonight Cecilia and I were watching Ruby at swimming lessons. Out of nowhere -- we weren't even talking -- Cecilia turned to me and said, "I hope Ruby grows up and fulfills her dreams."

And all I could manage in response was, "Me, too."

Today Ruby and I went out for lunch. This happened:

[Ruby belches LOUDLY, mouth open, with force.]

Momlissa: Absolutely not. That is so rude.

Ruby: No it's not. I have to do it.

Momlissa: No, you do NOT have to do it.

Ruby: Yes I do! It's how I live my life.

Momlissa: [stifling laughter] At least cover your mouth. What do you say?

Ruby: [smugly satisfied] Excuse me.

Ruby smiles sweetly.

End scene.

I Think It's A Deal.

[The family is having dinner.]

Dadam: . . . so, Ruby, here's the plan. We're going to put up a chart for you, and if you get fifteen stickers, you can get that pair of high heels that you want. You get a sticker every time you behave nicely, like being a good listener, or helping out around the house, or finishing your dinner without us having to yell at you, or not fighting with your sister. And every time you do something naughty - like throw a fit, or argue with us, or fight with your sister - you get a sticker taken off.

Ruby: Oh, so then I have one less, like I'm going back.

Dadam: That's right. So what do you say, do we have a deal? [extends hand] Let's shake on it.

[Ruby farts.]

Ruby: Let's fart on it is more like it.

In Which Dadam Explains Acting To Ruby.

[Dadam and Ruby are watching a profile of Harrison Ford on CBS Sunday Morning.]

Ruby: Wait, was that Indiana Jones next to that monster?

Dadam: Yes - you see, this man is an actor. That means he pretends to be different characters - that's called "playing" them. This guy played Indiana Jones, and he also played Han Solo in Star Wars.

Ruby: Oh, okay. Wait, who's Pod Horso?

Little Pleasures.

The disaster in Haiti has provided many opportunities for feeling lucky. And we've needed them this week, since it's been one of annoyances (albeit relatively minor ones) for the Kintopf-Martinez-Sones family. Rubester has been sick the past couple days (just a cold, feeling better today, thanks), which has meant some sleepless nights and grumpy moods for her and Mom and Dad. And yesterday, we learned that all the non-backed-up data on the hard drive of our iMac, which suddenly and inexplicably committed suicide just before Christmas, is likely gone for good. This includes many photos of the girlies as well as some videos, and Momlissa has been taking that loss particularly hard. Last night she vented a bit, leaving no question in the minds of her listeners what she thinks about Apple and the alleged superiority of their products.

When I went into the other room, Cici was crying, having overheard. "I hate that company," she said, balling her hands up and wiping her eyes. "Everyone who works there should be fired." I talked to her about how it wasn't so bad, and how so many people this week had lost everything - homes, clothes, families, lives. She calmed down and went in and hugged her mom. When she came back out she had an idea: she and I should go to the grocery store (under the pretense of buying peanut butter) and pick up some old-fashioned donuts - Momlissa's favorite treat - as a surprise to cheer her up.

Donuts are not something we would usually have in the house, but they tasted pretty good last night.

Ick.

Ladies Night.

Monday afternoon I received a call from Cecilia who was in the nurse's office complaining of a stomachache. When I asked her to describe what she was feeling, all she could come up with was, "Weird." She didn't have a fever, didn't feel like she was going to throw up, but thought it would be best if I came to pick her up. I encouraged her to drink some water, eat a cracker, and rest for 10 minutes before calling me back. Ten minutes later the phone rang and she again asked that I come pick her up because her stomach still felt weird. I told her no, of course, and that she should try to survive the last 1.5 hours of her day and then come home on the bus and I would comfort her at that time. After I hung up the phone I realized what was going on: With all the attention being given to Ruby and her finger, someone was feeling a little under-appreciated. Well, duh. Parenting 101. So when she came home after school (feeling totally fine by the way), I asked if maybe she wanted to go on a date with me, just the two of us. She lit up like 4th of July fireworks. Not 10 minutes later she had generated a list of possible activities for our date, and we agreed it would happen on the weekend so that we didn't have to worry about school.

So tonight Cecilia and I are off to a movie at the Omnitheater (which I can never get enough of anyway), and then out for fancy dessert. I'm excited to spend this time with her, get a little break from the Emergency Room Wonderkid, and enjoy the sparkling personality of my first-born. If I play my cards right perhaps we can avoid any more calls from the school nurse for a while...

Nice cover, Rubes.

[Ruby is playing with some dinosaurs and other assorted reptiles.]

Ruby: Look out, T-Rex! The alligator's coming to eat you!

Dadam: But Ruby, that isn't a t-rex - it's a triceratops.

Ruby [as if speaking to a very stupid individual]: No - it's not his species. His name is "T-Rex."

Makes Sense To Me.

Ruby [singing]:

Have a holly jolly Christmas
It's the best time of the year
I don't know if there'll be snow
But have a cup of beer

Dadam: A cup of beer?

Ruby: Yeah, to celebrate.

Finger Update.

Ruby made her return to preschool today following the action-packed winter break, and I think she actually relished the opportunity to get up during circle time and explain to her friends and teachers how her finger got cut off.

She has played mountain climber, yoga instructor, karate expert, and superhero in the last few days following our ER visit, so I suspect she's going to come out of this experience a-ok. In fact, she's already making "don't get your finger cut off" jokes to people when they leave for the store, so she's even got a sense of humor about the whole thing.

We've made a couple bandage changes and, though it appears to be healing on schedule, it's still G-R-O-S-S to look at. Following our doctor appointment on Wednesday I'll try to post a couple pictures of finger without bandages for those who are curious. Still not for the faint of heart.

Many thanks to everyone for your kind words, prayers, and concern about our girl. We love her so very much and it's nice to know we're not alone in that.