Martin Luther King Jr.

E: Why don't you have work on a Monday? Is is Columbus Day?
M: No. It's Martin Luther King Jr Day.
E: Whoa. That's a long name. What is it for?
M: MLK was a really good man who...
E: Is he dead?
M: He is now. A long time ago it was pretty common for people to be mean to one another because they look different or have different color hair or skin. MLK was an activist who told everyone how wrong and mean that was. Everyone is a person and deserves to be treated equally.
E: Did he get rid of bullies?
M: He helped get laws passed so people couldn't be bullies anymore.
~silence~
M: What do you think of that?
E: I think he needs a catchy name. Like Santa or Jesus or something.

Winter Driving

It snowed early this year. Then it rained. Then that froze. Then in snowed again. Not unexpected around here at all, but the roads are pretty crummy.
Driving home from daycare was rough yesterday. We were also in a rush to get home, eat, change, and go to dance class.
E: Mom? I want to ask you a question.
M: OK. What is it?
E: I'm doing a really, really good job being patient.
M: Yes, you are.
(Not really a question, but it's true. She's just sitting there quietly)
E: You're not. Remember you said we all need to share the road and take turns, Mom? It doesn't help when you tell people to "come on" and talk sassy to them. You just need to wait patiently until it's your turn.

Ouch.

Turtle Weenies

E: Mom, I like your sweater.
M: Thanks.
E: How come it goes all the way up to your chin?
M: That's what kind of a sweater it is. It's called a turtle neck.
E: I don't really like the necks. You know what I like? I like turtle weenies.
M: WHAT?
E: You know - turtle weenies and raviolis.
M: You mean tortellinis?
E: Yes. Turtle weenies.

Car chat

In our car, the conversation is so completely random.
This morning I heard about how sometimes it's fine to say "K" instead of "OK". Some people like to say "OK" and some "K".
I also heard about how various children have different coats, hats and mittens just like how different children have different hair color, eye color and skin color. It's so we don't all get confused.
Perhaps the most random:
"MOM! Oh. My. Gosh! I have the greatest idea! You want to know what it is? Are you ready? Are you ready?"
"Sure. What's your idea?"
"We can make a tree house... out of my old crib!!! It would be perfect! It already has the fence so you won't fall and everything!"

I can't argue. It's not a terrible idea. Definitely going to have to talk to Dad about that one.

We have colds

E: Mommy? mumble mumble mumble
M: What?
E: Huh?
M: I didn't hear you. I have a cold. You have to talk louder.
E: Huh?
M: I didn't hear your words.
E: I don't even know what you said.

OK then. I guess is was important.

Boxers? Or Briefs?

Elise to her teacher:
Wanna hear something really funny? My dad wears skorts instead of underwear. He even wears them to bed.

My bad...

M: Elise, eat your sandwich.
E: But, I'm full.
M: Why did you ask me for a sandwich if you're not even hungry?
E: You must not have been listening to my words. I said I wanted a sandwich to LOOK at.