ACTUALLY

Before having kids, I would overhear parents talk endlessly about the things that their kids said and how it was the funniest/cutest/smartest/most insightful thing they have EVER heard. At the time, I probably would roll my eyes or fake that I actually cared about what they were talking about. NOW, I can safely say that I am one of those parents that thinks their kid [Mae] says the funniest/cutest/smartest/most insightful thing that you have ever heard. Take for example, the other day Mae was sitting on the coffee table. I told her, "Mae get off the table." Mae responds, "I just want to cuddle with it." That girl was trying to pull a fast one over on me, thinking that I would allow coffee table sitting if she was doing something as lovable as cuddling. Of course, she isn't as quick as I am (yet).

Along with saying the funniest/cutest/smartest/most insightful things, kids are parrots. Case in point, we were at Madrona Ale House last night enjoying a few beers when a friend came in with his two kids. The dad was telling a story and the second grader son looked at this dad and said, "a s s hole. So clearly the dad never uses the word asshole but spells out the ass part and says hole.

So the last few weeks Mae has started saying things that have been sounding vaguely familiar. Her speech was mimicking someone but I couldn't figure it out, it nagged at me. It reminded me of a close personal friend or family member but I couldn't quite place it for a few days, until, I realized she was imitating me. She has now picked up a few of mine and Pearson's little speech ticks and words that we use FAR too often. From me, she has picked up the word "actually." And actually uses it all the time now. Something to point out, she uses it correctly, most of the time. From Pearson it isn't necessarily one word but she did tell me the other day when we were leaving the house and I wouldn't let her bring something that, "yes, it would be a slippery slope." I can just hear Pearson saying that now.

If there was ever a doubt, my kid actually says the funniest/cutest/smartest/most insightful things.