Dorothy and Willa like to pretend-play mother and daughter. I overheard Dorothy say, "Why don't you pretend that you're 10 and I'll pretend that I'm 90 or as old as my mama?"
Dorothy told me, "Mama, I would do anything for you." I said, "Well, I would do anything for you, too." I let a few seconds pass, and then I started naming a few of the things I would do; for example, "I would jump into a swimming pool of Jello for you." Dorothy responded very seriously, "Mom, I wouldn't ask you to do that."
Dorothy asked, "Can teenagers drive themselves?"
I answered, "Some can. When you turn 16 years old, you can get a driver's license."
Dorothy responded, "And what does that do?"
Dorothy has been going to a Montessori school for two years now. In Montessori classes, teachers try to be very hands-off and respectful of the child's natural curiosities. There is a new teacher, Ms. Ashley. Dorothy came home on Friday singing a new song. She said that the new teacher, Ms. Ashley, taught it to her. Then she added, "Ms. Ashley said, 'When I am talking, who else should be talking? No one.' Is that true, Mommy?"