Pillow Talk with Froggy

After three books and many pleadings from me to "GO TO SLEEP!," Froggy asked me to tell her a story about when I was little. She's now six years old and has been asking this question for the last four. I'm running out of material. Big time.

So reaching deep, I remembered a story with a pertinent moral. Pertinent because sometimes she is lacking in empathy and sensitivity for others. I thought I was oh so clever. Tired, but clever.

Froggymama: When mommy was little, I was helping Grandma S. in the garden. She was reaching down into the soil, pulling weeds and tending to all her plants. I stood next to her, watching, as a bee landed on her back. Because I loved my mommy so much, I wanted to make sure she didn't get stung. She had no idea the bee had landed there, so I thought it was up to me to save her! I reached down and picked up that bee, holding it in the palm of my hand. I was so proud of myself for rescuing my mama, I forgot that the bee was still in my hand. And do you know what happened? That silly bee stung me! But the moral of the story is: When you love someone, you would rather get stung than have them hurt. And that's how I feel about you. That's love.

After a long silence, where I thought perhaps the Frog was processing the concept of sacrifice and contemplating her love for her own mother, came this unexpected, yet very Froggy reply:

Froggy: Well, if you'd just left the bee alone, it wouldn't have stung either of you.

And with that, she fell fast asleep.

Froggy Froggy Froggyisms!

Turns out Froggy is the next Bobby Fischer. While teaching her to play chess, I explained that the goal is to take the King away from your apponent. Froggy reached over to my side of the board, grabbed my king and said, "I win."

While doing homework (yes, homework - Kindergarteners not only go to school a full day, but they have a ton of homework). So while doing homework, Froggy was supposed to cross out the one thing that didn't belong in a row. For example, in a row of sailboats, there was a cat. So I said, "Put an X on the item that doesn't belong." So Froggy put an X on the cat, to which I replied, "Excellent." And then my little punster said, "Xcellent, cause I put an X on the right answer!"

When we come home from anywhere, our dog Buddy freaks out with ecstactic jumps and barks like we've been away a year. A few days ago when Froggy walked in the door and was met with this excitement, she said, "Buddy does his victory dance when we come home!" And we don't even watch football.

I've been trying to teach Froggy empathy. Humor comes easy for her, empathy - not so much. And she does have it, but she has a hard time showing it, or conjuring it. So when it springs forth naturally, I jump on it and explain how important it is to be empathetic and show empathy for others. Around my birthday, Froggy's dad asked her what she'd like to give me as a present. He listed some things and Froggy said, "I'd like to clean the house for her." I thought that was so awesome that instead of wanting to get me something fun, she really thought about what would be a good present for me. And it's true. I'd take a clean house over flowers anyday.

Also on empathy: Froggy's friend at school has had some separation anxiety from her mom. I volunteer on Tuesdays and witnessed this: They all sit on a carpet on the floor during lessons and storytime. Her friend was wimpering and holding back tears. Froggy sat next to her and rubbed her back until she felt better. Brought tears to this sappy mama's eyes.

A slice of our summer

Froggy's graduation from preschool. On to more mature ventures.

Or maybe not.

Everyone came together to celebrate the big day!

Froggy and mama in Big Bear on a vacation.

Our cabin had a barn with bunnies and llamas!

It was so beautiful and relaxing!

Disneyland with our favorite pals!

Froggy's 6th birthday party. It was a Halloween/disco theme with a disco ball pinata!

Auntie visited too!