Sassafras

SuperD woke Pinky this morning, but she was sleepy and didn't want to get up. She argued with him.

So he said, "Get up, and no sass."

As he walked into the hall, he heard her tiny voice say jokingly, "But that's my thing..."

I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas

As we were in the car listening to Christmas music, the Brain and I heard a familiar song. 

I asked, "What makes him a hippo hero anyway?"

The Brain replied, "Maybe he wears a cape or something."

Christmas Joy

Overheard in my second grade classroom:

[little girl humming "Jingle Bells"] 

Me: E, you have a lovely voice, but please save it for music class.

E: I just can't hold my jingle in!

Numbers are hard

The Brain (after struggling with his math homework and realizing he was trying too hard): I overthink things a lot, like when I multiplicate.

Ha!

As the Brain headed toward the Walmart bathroom, SuperD said: 

We'll be in women's clothes. [pause] Well, I won't be in women's clothes; your mom will. We'll be in the women's clothing department."

Money, money, money

While doing her Financial Literacy homework for her Government class, Pinky said:

"I don't understand money. Money is stupid."

So, I guess you won't consider an accounting degree next year, huh?

Silence and Joy

I thought I hated Shakespeare. In a style of language which is no longer used, it was hard to understand. Reading hour after hour was boring.

Now I find that what I really hated was reading it for English class. Shakespeare wasn't meant to be read - it was meant to be performed. Shakespeare wrote plays. For the stage. When performed well, his words come alive. His words are beautiful, and funny, and tragic. Each time I listen, I hear something new. 

My favorite play is Much Ado About Nothing. Of the dozens of times I have watched the Kenneth Brannaugh/Emma Thompson version, it wasn't until recently, while seeing the Joss Whedon film, that I first really heard these most beautiful words, spoken when Claudio first discovers that Hero has been won for him:

Silence is the perfectest herald of joy.

I were but little happy if I could say how much.

-Lady, as you were mine, I am yours.

I give myself for you and dote upon the exchange.

I know this feeling. Sometimes, there aren't words to express happiness.