Maybe "greatness" runs in the family :p

Manya: Mom you make awesome hot chocolate.

Me: Ooh thank you!

Manya (with seemingly great sincerity): You make everything so well but do you know what you make best?

Me (a little unsure where all this sweetness was heading towards): What?

Manya (so matter of factly): Daughters. You make great daughters. You have made the best daughter ever!

I burst out laughing, literally rolling on the floor...

Manya (not at all amused): Okay now no need to get so excited about having such a great daughter.

Oh Lord, deliver us from such “greatness”.

The big move!

So we left Portland for Seattle end of last month. While we are still in transition, I have to note how cooperative Manya has been. With a bout of pneumonia just a day before the move, I had expected her to be less welcoming to all the changes and the frenzy - but not my sweet charming child (when she chooses to be one). No complaints - absolutely patient - and in fact looking forward to all the big new stuff that's going to happen - house hunting. new school. new neighborhood! I hope her spirits remain high! A challenging but a great start to the year!

Chutes and Ladders

It’s actually very funny how things esacalate between M and me when we play chutes & ladders...

From such warm hugs and kisses as we unfold the board game,to distancing positions as the game proceeds, to war cries as we miss the ladders and don’t miss the chutes, to frustrated sighs and threatening tears as mommy refuses fo bend the rules, and finally to cold accusing stares as we pack the damn thing off muttering promises of never to play it again with “this lady”.

P.s. Mommy won 3 games in a row. 😂