She's Doomed

Matilda and Steve just got home from running a few errands and the following conversations ensued:


Matilda: We're going to make presents for my teachers after Thanksgiving!
Steve: That sounds like a great idea.  What do you think you'll make?
Matilda: I think I'll make a cat for Ms. Barb.
Steve: Oh, does she like cats?
Matilda: No, not really.  But she'll get used to them.

**

Matilda: I have two daddies!

Me: Oh really?

Matilda: Yeah, I sat in my other daddy's lap.

Me: Who's your other daddy?

Matilda: Jack from the wine store!

Me: [helpless laughter]

Matilda: Mama!  Mama!  I have something I need to tell you!

Me: [What else could there be?] Yes?

Matilda: But wait!  First I need to take Meat out of my jacket!

Steve: Matilda, did you tell Mama about your other daddy's name?

Matilda: Gentleman Jack!

**


In case this made no more sense to than it did to me, allow me to translate the evening's events:  Matilda cuddled right up into the lap of a life-size statue of Jack Daniels at the liquor store and proclaimed him her second daddy.  While holding her doll, Meat.

Fall Festival

  Matilda's school had a pseudo-Halloween party that they called Fall Festival.  No costumes, but there was face painting, pumpkin decorating, and bowling with pins decorated like ghosts, so it was suspiciously Halloween-ish.  The best part about having Matilda's daycare as part of my university is that I can make it to events like this.  We were on the 8th-floor deck on a gloriously sunny October day.  It was a heavenly break from the fluroescence of my windowless office.                                            

In other news, Matilda's favorite toy du jour is a little feltie from Aunt Sara that she has named Meat.  (Sorry, Sara!)  This leads to all sorts of awesome one-liners, like, "I'm just gonna put Meat here on the table next to my breakfast" and "I'm using Meat for a pillow!"

Have I mentioned Matilda's imaginary sisters yet?  They are vary in number, but there is always Adda (pronounced Ah-dah).  After that, we might get any selection of the following: Moda, Movra, Movry, Mochy, Nun-cha, Noocy, Nooncha, Oonchy, etc.  It's sort of like living with a bunch of children named by the same people who named Ikea products.

The best part of these imaginary sisters is that they, like real sisters, provide not only entertainment but also conflict.  Or maybe that's not the best part - after all, one of my main reasons against having any more kids is that I fear sibling conflict.  Yet, I find that only having one has not prevented this!  Instead, I mediate imaginary arguments.  This morning at Whole Foods, I found myself asking Matilda, "Is that a nice way to talk to Ada?  Do you think she likes it when you're sassy to her?"  Matilda saw the logic in this and said sweetly, "I'm sorry Ada.  Do you want some of my muffin?"  The woman sitting in front of us turned around, smiling, I imagine, at this touching sibling relationship.  Instead, it was just Matilda and me.  And then Matilda asked me, "Where's Modra?" and I replied, with a jerk of my thumb at the basket underneath the stroller, "In there."

Kitchen Update

I'm having a couple of work friends over for dinner tonight (thanks to the crockpot, which is making French onion soup at home while I'm at work).  I guess this means we have a serviceable kitchen!  Don't get me wrong: there are still boxes all over our house, filled with kitchen detritus and other misplaced items.  There aren't doors on all our cabinets or countertops installed everywhere.  But there is a stove, a refridgerator and - oh happy day! - a dishwasher.  And there are jars of lentils, oil, and flour lined up in our pantry, which is painted bright red.  So, on the whole, I think it's coming along nicely.

Note: It is very important to have beer available during home improvement projects.  It makes a great accompaniment to the wire that dangle everywhere.

Inside the pantry:

A Very Freudian Halloween

Matilda decreed our family costume this year:  she dressed up as Cinderella, I was the prince, and Steve was the ugly stepsister.  As you see, he really embraced his role.  I only wish you could check out his fake hair - it was matted, thin, and thoroughly in character.

The princess in her coach:

And on her way out the door, witha  smile for all the candy that lies ahead.  We trick-or-treated with some friends who promised that their neighborhood really does Halloween up right.  And they weren't kidding: movies projected in front yards and mixed drinks in Dixie cups for the adults!

Now, for the annual post-Halloween slump, wherein Matilda whines and cries every day until she finally gets one piece of candy after dinner.  We tried to offer her an exchange - all her candy for a new toy or book - and she didn't go for it!  I think there might turn out to be a slow leak from her candy bowl to the garbage . . . or to Mama's stomach . . .