Tonight, out of the blue, Tyla started talking about "when she's a grown up". What started as a routine round of sticking it to her moms ("When I'm a grown up, I can do whatever I want to.") transformed into an interesting take on how Tyla views her adult life.
Included in her vision was the idea that maybe she could live in one of the houses next to ours (only if one of our neighbours dies, of course), so that she could come for visits in her pyjamas (just in case it gets late and she wants a sleepover) and call me up to go shopping together (she'll write the grocery lists and carry the shopping bags in from the car). She especially liked the idea of being able to choose between her room and grandma's room (aka the spare bedroom) when she sleeps over, and the idea that she could bring Dorothy with her when she comes for lunch or coffee (now her dolly, she'd then be her roommate).
She's also looking forward to sharing a garden ("less work, more vegetables"), recycling yogurt containers (not sure about recycling other things, but she's really committed to taking care of those yogurt containers!), choosing picture frames for her favourite photos, and asking our cat, Missy, if she'd like to move next door with her. Of course this means making important decisions, such as where to buy cat food from, if we can loan her some cat treats, and if we could buy cat toys if she doesn't have enough money left. She's promised us that we'll get regular visits with Missy in return for our generosity.
In fact, right now she's working on a "contract" that includes a picture of how close our houses will be, where her car will be parked (our car is nowhere to be seen, so maybe she's already had our licenses revoked), when we get to see Missy and for how long, what we are to feed Dorothy if she ever comes over unaccompanied (hot dogs with no bun), that we need to promise to use a booster seat whenever Dorothy goes in the car, and what she can and can't play with (yes to the big blocks, no to Lego - she's eaten it before, which evidently caused some pretty severe problems). She's very concerned with making two copies of this important document, so that we can each have a signed copy (which includes a picture of each of us next to our signature, so she can make sure we are who we say we are) to keep until she moves out.
How does this coversation end (for now)? With a clear and emphatic, "Did you know I'm super excited to move out of here, Mama? I just can't wait!" Some days, I feel exactly the same way...
Included in her vision was the idea that maybe she could live in one of the houses next to ours (only if one of our neighbours dies, of course), so that she could come for visits in her pyjamas (just in case it gets late and she wants a sleepover) and call me up to go shopping together (she'll write the grocery lists and carry the shopping bags in from the car). She especially liked the idea of being able to choose between her room and grandma's room (aka the spare bedroom) when she sleeps over, and the idea that she could bring Dorothy with her when she comes for lunch or coffee (now her dolly, she'd then be her roommate).
She's also looking forward to sharing a garden ("less work, more vegetables"), recycling yogurt containers (not sure about recycling other things, but she's really committed to taking care of those yogurt containers!), choosing picture frames for her favourite photos, and asking our cat, Missy, if she'd like to move next door with her. Of course this means making important decisions, such as where to buy cat food from, if we can loan her some cat treats, and if we could buy cat toys if she doesn't have enough money left. She's promised us that we'll get regular visits with Missy in return for our generosity.
In fact, right now she's working on a "contract" that includes a picture of how close our houses will be, where her car will be parked (our car is nowhere to be seen, so maybe she's already had our licenses revoked), when we get to see Missy and for how long, what we are to feed Dorothy if she ever comes over unaccompanied (hot dogs with no bun), that we need to promise to use a booster seat whenever Dorothy goes in the car, and what she can and can't play with (yes to the big blocks, no to Lego - she's eaten it before, which evidently caused some pretty severe problems). She's very concerned with making two copies of this important document, so that we can each have a signed copy (which includes a picture of each of us next to our signature, so she can make sure we are who we say we are) to keep until she moves out.
How does this coversation end (for now)? With a clear and emphatic, "Did you know I'm super excited to move out of here, Mama? I just can't wait!" Some days, I feel exactly the same way...
At the Santa Claus Parade.
Hangin' out under the tree with Parker.
Trying out her new Tag reading system.
Skating with Mama, Gramma, and cousin Jake.
The cats have already laid claim to her new Lightning McQueen chair/bed!
Trying out the Wii (which we've actually had since July, but just set up on New Year's Day!).
