A Face I Love

Ruby's Brain

One of my favorite things about Ruby is that she has an on/off switch like no other person I've ever met.  She can go from a deep sleep to a thoughtful, minutes-long monologue about horses in under a second.  She is asleep, the switch is turned on, and she's got some deep thoughts to share.  It's both fascinating and hysterical all at the same time. 

And now, here are some random thoughts that recently spilled out of her little brain:

Her suggestion for what one could tell a person with a booger in their nose:  "There is a limo in the tunnel."

After being served buckwheat crepes filled with a delicious potato and kale mixture and topped with a lovingly homemade red pepper sauce:  "The crepe looks like the bottom of a swimming pool."

On how one falls asleep: "You just think and think and think and then you conk out."

 And then you wake up again and begin anew...

Five Words

School is back in session and we're filling out paperwork fast and furious.  Cecilia's teacher sent home a "Help Me Get to Know Your Child" sheet to fill out, and this morning I spent some time writing about my daughter.  What an interesting exercise!  I think it can be easy to get caught up in the day-to-day business of parenting (brush your teeth, do your homework, practice your instrument, how was your day?), that there isn't a ton of time left over for reflection.  I just had to consider what motivates my child, what upsets my child, her strengths, some challenges, etc.  I appreciated the opportunity to stop and think about these things, because it's also a great reminder that my daughter - while practically perfect in every way - is also a developing person and the star of her own life, not just a character in mine.  You know, like a whole person who will someday be an adult.  (I think she's going to be an amazing adult, because she's already one helluva kid.)

In a fun, college-application-type exercise, I was asked to list five words that best describe my child's character.  This is what I came up with: earnest, thoughtful, empathetic, hilarious, and sensitive.

But she's also so much more.

Spaghetti Will Never Be The Same

The scene: I am sitting on my bed working on the laptop.  Ruby comes tearing into the room all in a tizzy.

Ruby:  Mom!  You will NEVER guess what's in the toilet!

Me [looking up, wearily]:  Um, poop?

Ruby: No!

Me:  Pee?

Ruby: No!

Me: I have no idea, Rubes.

Ruby [very animatedly]: A MEATBALL!

Then a small group convened around the toilet (minus me) and had an involved conversation about what someone had ... deposited.  And I have to wonder - is this what it's like in other families?