why I love holidays that include my friends’ kids

Avery, age 6: “This is a picture of my friends John and Heidi. They just got married but they didn’t ask me to be the flower girl.”

Pause.

“I could be YOUR flower girl.” Hopeful face.

Jen: “A, on the increasingly unlikely chance I get married while you are still young, I promise you can be my flower girl.”

A: Beaming smile. Back to coloring.

 

Katie, age 9: “Jen, I think the people who let their dogs poop in your front yard should go to jail.”

Jen: Silent agreement.

 

Avery: “I’m sad Louie the cat died.”

Jen: “Yes, that made me sad, too.”

A: “You could get another black cat and name him Louie.”

J (doubtfully): “Yeah……but I travel a lot, so he would be lonely.”

A: “Maybe you need two black cats. But name them both Louie so you won’t get confused.”

 

Katie, informatively, to random man as we wait our turn at Supercuts the day before Thanksgiving: “My sister is getting her bangs trimmed. She’s younger than me but she still gives me wedgies.”

Random man, trying not to laugh: “That’s too bad.”

Jen, quietly so mom won’t hear: “Okay, Katie, let me tell you about swirlies……”