Caitlyn: one two three five six eleven twelve… one two three five six eleven twelve… (repeat, to the Sesame Street counting song tune) Ian: Good counting, Caitlyn. That’s a lot. Caitlyn: Trees. And birds. Ian: You’re counting trees and birds? Caitlyn: Yes. There’s a lot and a lot and a lot. Ian: Holy cow. Caitlyn: I’m not a holy cow, I’m a sea otter.

Sometimes Caitlyn likes to read (she turns the pages and makes up a story which may or may not have anything to do with the pictures she’s looking at) to me at bedtime, instead of the other way around. Last night, it was The Legend of Lao Tzu and the Tao Te Ching, complete with special appearances by Pooh, Cinderella, Christopher Robin, and several cats. Tonight, she opted just to sing along with her lullaby: “Rock-a-bye-baby cradle of leavesSing me lullaby of dweamsTuck clouds under my chinBlow that moon out – pfoo – please.” She’s not in tune or on …

Caitlyn: What are you doing? REI Salesperson: I’m writing. What are you doing? Caitlyn: Oh, trying to pick my nose.

Caitlyn, on her own, named one of her stuffed animals today, the little mouse with a cookie that Grandma gave her with a copy of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. The mouse is now Jilly Boo, or occasionally Billy Joe. “Mama, say hello to Jilly Boo’s feet.” “Hi, Jilly Boo’s feet.” “Jilly Boo goes down the chimney (a hole in the top of a footstool). Mama, Jilly Boo went down the chimney.” “And what did Jilly Boo find down the chimney?” “An ocean.” (The floor.) “Ah.” “Her mama’s going to rescue her. Mama, say hello to Jilly Boo’s …

Two days before Halloween, Caitlyn discovered the dress-up box in her closet and started playing with the scarves, purses, and robes there – including getting tangled up in the pocket-sleeves of an authentic kimono. Today, the day after Halloween, she is right now napping while wearing her Halloween bunny tail (Thanks, Jeannie!). It took awhile last night, but eventually, she was running to the door when the bell rang. Once someone parental had opened it for her, she would carefully hand out candy to the kids outside. Most kids in our neighborhood don’t dress up, probably either religious issues or …

Caitlyn was jumping down the stairs this morning, one at a time, saying, “And jumped and jumped and jumped and jumped,” as she went. Being the bookish person I am, I thought perhaps she was referencing Are You My Mother? (“The egg jumped and jumped and jumped.”) So, I asked her if she had a baby bird inside her. “No. A bunny.” At the time, it seemed delightfully silly and a brilliant joke. I laughed. She laughed. And now, I can’t seem to remember why… Some jokes are like that, I guess.