Super powers

Anna is filling me in her day, describing a game she played on the playground.

"We were all superheros and we all had super special powers!" I was about as unsurprised as is humanly possible when she announced that she was Anna the Dog with Special Biting Powers.

And Rachel? "Mommy, I was Rachel the Dog!" I send up a quick prayer that Anna's abiding obsession with dogs isn't rubbing off on her sister. "But I had Special Running Powers!"

Anna has an idea. "You could be Super Mommy with Puffy Tummy Power - you would make people feel so cozy!" At this, the girls start giggling hysterically.

I have to ask, "What about Daddy? What's his super power?" She thinks for a minute.

"Daddies hug you really hard... and.... well, they just love you!"

Reasoning

"Mommy, why isn't there any sugar in the sugar bowl?"

"How do you know there isn't any sugar in the sugar bowl?"

"... well, I looked." She emphasizes the word looked, making sure I don't think she was eating the sugar. Rachel has a history.

"That is why there isn't any sugar in the sugar bowl."

An afternoon chat

"Mommy, I want to have a boy baby who grows up to be a daddy." Rachel is pondering her future. "And then I will have a girl baby who grows up to be a mommy."

"That sounds nice, sweetie."

"And they will marry each other!"

All hope of skipping over this comment is lost by my surprised giggle. Anna immediately zeroes in on an issue and begins her inquisition.

"Why is that funny? Why? What do you mean that a brother can't marry a sister? Why? Stop laughing and TELL ME!"

I'm stuck, floundering for an answer. They're not allowed. Why not? The Torah says they can't. Why? Have you learned about genetics yet in kindergarten? Heh heh, never mind.

Who wants ice cream?

This pretty much sums up their relationship right now

Rachel stands in the hallway changing her clothes for the fourth time today. This time she chooses a white robe with a row of buttons down the front. She is patiently working on the five buttons but it's taking her awhile.

Anna spots the struggle from across the room and leaps into big sister mode. "Oh Rachel, let me help you!" She goes to her sister and leans down to complete the job while Rachel coos her affection and gratitude.

When all of the buttons are done Anna stands up and kisses Rachel on the cheek and they share a hug. It is during this hug that Anna spots the mermaid embroidered on the robe and realizes that it is in fact her robe and so she shrieks, "RACHEL!" A shoving match ensues, complete with high-pitched screaming.

And that is their relationship right now: love, affection, tenderness, rage.

The bashful graduate

Anna graduated preschool last Friday. As much as this child loves attention, she does not enjoy the spotlight being thrust upon her, especially when there's been a lot of build up. The pressure causes anxiety and while she doesn't have the spectacular meltdowns she had a year or so ago, she does kind of shut down when she feels overwhelmed.

So she sang her song with her class, participated in her skit and accepted her "diploma." But that was it. I barely got her to pose for this photo taken on my BlackBerry before she insisted that all fussing come to an end. "Stop being happy," she ordered.

She did however accept Grandma Mel's offer for lunch anywhere she wanted to go. Anna's choice for this important day? Bob Evans of course. Somewhere around the time the chocolate chip pancakes arrived she even allowed me to be happy.

Generosity

Anna is raiding the kitchen cabinets. She's on some kind of growth spurt and has basically eaten me out of house and home. She raises up on her tippy toes and reaches for a box of crackers.

"Can I finish these?" she asks, even as she plunges her hands into the almost-empty box.

"Sure..." I say to her back as she disappears into the family room.

"Rachel, do you want some of these?" I hear Anna ask her sister. I smile to myself at Anna's offer to share. She's such a good big sister, I think. Then she continues.

"You can have three crackers and that's all. And do NOT whine and cry like a little baby if you want more."

Today's game

Anna: Let's play dogs.
Rachel: Yeah, you be Charlie and I'll be Annabelle the stupid dog!
Anna: Oh yes! (barking)
Rachel (giggling): She's so stupid.
Anna (barking and panting): And she's the angel of death!

A dog fixation and a few Torah lessons can be a dangerous combination.