"You are a little goose"

 

Dear Catalina,

Happy Fourth of July!  Today we went to a parade, had a barbeque, and went to fireworks--all the stuff a good little American girl should experience on the Fourth.  It seemed like you had a good day, but I think any day you get to spend the day with both mommy and daddy is a good day for you.  

The title of this post is a phrase we say a lot to you these days.  It's short for, "you are a silly goose" you really enjoy being a clown these days.  You like to tell jokes, make faces, and say things to make us smile.  Last night, in fact, I was scolding you for putting your feet on the table.  I had my serious mommy face on and you told me you weren't listening to me.  Then you kept saying random stuff to me while I was trying to tell you why you couldn't put your feet on the table.  I said, "Let me know when you're ready to talk to me"   You said, "I'm just asking you things to make you happy".  I actually had to break a smile at that point.  Of course, I knew you were just trying to distract me from being angry, but you being able to express that really made me laugh.  Every day it amazes me how smart you are.  You make so many connections that I didn't think you were capable of.  The other morning you said to Daddy, "The trees are moving.  Its windy outside.  The trees are making it windy."  Even though that logic is obviously wrong, the fact that you were evening using logic to understand your world surprised me--I'm not sure why it should, but it does.  Of course you get some things wrong.  Today you told Daddy you wanted him to do an "under hot dog" (an under dog is when someone pushes you in the swing and goes all the way under you--in case that phrase isn't used anymore) and you continue to call your little garden hoe a "back hoe" but its pretty close.  Your making connections, and that's what's important.  

Our world is changing, sweetie.  Lately I've been really feeling horrible about it.  We as humans have really screwed up our planet.  In some ways, I feel so guilty for bringing you into this mess--as much as I love you, it pains me to think of the things you might see in your life.  I really hope we, as people, get better about taking care of our environment--and one another.  When I see the wonder and innocence you have...I just wish I could some how bottle it up and keep it for you always.  The trees make the wind--isn't that a sweet thought?  

I love you to the moon and back, darling--and even beyond that.

Love 

Mommy.