Untitled ramblings

A couple of funny things have happened recently that I really have to pass on...

• As we're floating down the Meramec river, Madeline started talking about random stuff. Suddenly she said, "so what don't you like about me?" I have no idea why she asked this question or where it came from because no one else was talking at the time. Just about the time she said that, Dan notices an oddly placed sign by the river advertising karate lessons. So he said "Karate, hmm." Madeline's reply? "My body? My body? What's wrong with my body?" I couldn't stop laughing. She thought he was answering her question but she obviously misunderstood what he was saying. Dan said, "what is she talking about?" Between bouts of laughter I told him that he unknowingly just gave his 5 year-old daughter a complex. We then, of course, explained to her that absolutely nothing was wrong with her body and that she misunderstood her dad. Oh my...

• The other night I was making a grocery list for the following day. Madeline was at the table coloring so I asked her if there was anything from the store she wanted...anything she was wishing for that we didn't already have. She gave the question some serious thought and answered... "brownies." Brownies? Well, I can do that! So yesterday I bought some brownie mix and prepared the treat. I had pulled it from the oven about 5 minutes before she came home from school. She sniffed the air and looked to the stove. "You made me brownies? I thought you were just going to buy some! You're the best ever!!!" I thought to myself "yeah, remember that when you're 16!!"

• Last night for dinner I decided to make something that I was sure Madeline hadn't had before. She asked what I was making and I explained that it was something new and that I wanted her to be very brave when she tried it. Usually she's very good about trying new things but sometimes she's just not in the mood. I described what it was and then lifted the lid to show her. She looked into the skillet, looked at me very seriously, and very quietly said, "I'll be very brave." Then she came over to me and wrapped her arms around me like it was going to be her last meal ever. Gosh, did it look that bad? As it turns out, she was very brave and did like the dish. But I don't think it makes the short list of her all-time favorites. But that's okay by me...I was just proud of her for giving it an honest effort.