The Age of Innocence, literally

I have the enjoyment and reality of 4 niece-nephew-things living up-stairs. That’s right. 4 little ones, popping up in quite unexpected places and occasionally at inopportune times. They have been instructed by their parents to ask, at the top of the stairs, if they can come down or not. But would we ever be able to resist such a request? Nope. We can’t, so they come down often. On one occasion, Katherine, the four year old one was watching a little American Idol with me. I especially like this one, the child I mean, because I have hand-crafted her into the sarcastic, sassy, entertaining, with often witty-come-backs child that she is. I don’t always treat her like a child. I kinda treat her like my side-kick amigo and communicate with her in lingo that is probably beyond her, but she gets it, and I don’t care. Anyway, on this particular evening, she was sitting comfortably on my lap, under our shared blanket. Commercial time. One particular commercial was for Salinas Valley Medical, a local hospital (probably unnecessary and obvious detail). And in this commercial, a very pregnant mother was shown, receiving attention at the hospital. The following is the conversation that transpired between Aunt and niece. Priceless. You can’t make this stuff up!

Katherine: Look, there’s a mom with a baby in her tummy!

Me: Oh, yeah. Hmmm, I don’t have a baby in my tummy do I? (This may seem like a weird thing for me to say, but if you are familiar with girls at this age, babies in tummies is a constant topic of conversation, and something that she has talked to me able in great lengths)

Katherine: Noooo Bekah, ack. You have to have a daddy first! Chello!

Me: Oh, that’s right! Hmmmm.

Katherine: Don’t worry Bekah! I’ll help you find a daddy!

Me: You will? Gee thanks!

Katherine: Oh!! I know. What about Erik?!!! He would be a good daddy!

Me: Excuse me! No! Katherine, Erik will never be the father of my children! Next!

Katherine: Oh, well who else? (fist clenched, pointer finger tapping on the side of her forehead in deep, well kinda deep thought)

Me: So, Katherine, how do you plan on helping me find a daddy?

Katherine: Well, I’m not too sure.

Me: Well, did you plan for us to go to K-Mart (Total lead-on question, cuz everyone knows that K-mart is her favorite store. Does the capital K in the name give any hint as to why it’s her favorite store?)

Katherine: Oh YEAH!!! K-Mart!!!

My Mom: What about the lumber yard? There’s always lots of boys there!

Katherine: Oh, that’s a good idea! And we can get some pop corn while we are there! (What do you know, one stop shopping for the freebee lover in all of us)

Me: So Katherine, if we went to the lumber yard and saw a guy there that looked like he would be a good daddy, what would we do? Would you say something to him?

Katherine: Yes, I would say hi.

Me: Ok, let’s pretend that I am a guy at the lumber yard and you are you. Let’s pretend that you see me. ‘Oh hello little girl, what’s your name?’

Katherine: Hi (quite giddish-like) I’m Katherine

Me: Well hello Katherine, My name is Bob. What are you up to today?

Katherine: Well, I am looking for a daddy for my auntie. (She meant a daddy for my children, but you get the point)

Me: Oh, really?

Katherine: Yes, would you like to be the daddy for my aunt Rebekah?

Me: Wow, well I guess I would need to meet her first. Where is she?

Katherine: Oh, she’s standing right her next to me!

Need I go any further?? Not only is this interaction priceless, but when was the last time you saw a four year old role play?? She acted it out like a veteran pro! I am not worried about finding a ‘daddy’ but if I ever feel a little anxious, I can rest assured with the knowledge that someone has my back!