Knock Yourself Out, Darling...

I just love my kids. They are so good for the soul. They can make you walk on clouds or pop any notion that you are doing everything perfect.... Case in point....

Meet my 10 year old daughter. She is a bright, fun filled child. She is also just like her father. When she wakes up, she is cheerful. Only the night owls out here will know how annoying that can be. She also loves to talk in the morning. Um, I don't. Let's look at this morning...

Catherine wakes up at 6 am. She likes to have all her clothes, backpack, and jackets ready the night before. She will get up, get dressed and do her hair (she is 10 and "doing" her hair). She will then go into my room to make sure I'm awake. Because I hate mornings. I really do. I could stay up til 3 AM reading, talking, cleaning but because I have 5 kids and 3 of them go to school I had to change. I go to bed like a good adult should but still hate mornings.

Silvia and I finally stumble down the stairs. Catherine is ready and at the computer. I knock on Andrew's door for his wake up call. I then head straight to the coffee maker. I am now, at the ripe old age of 39, addicted to a morning cup of coffee. As I get my jolt brewing Catherine skips into the kitchen (or chicken if you are my 4 year old daughter, I like to make her say "chicken" all the time). And the conversation goes:

Catherine: Can I make some french toast for Andrew and me? I'll make you some if you want.

Me: (mumbling) That's fine.

Catherine: Why do I like to cook?

Me: I have no idea.

Catherine: I like to eat breakfast in the morning.

Me: mummm....

Catherine: You know what mom?

Me: (now drinking the coffee and leaning against the wall watching my 10 old make french toast while chattering like a magpie) What darling?

Catherine: When I grow up and have kids, I WILL wake up in the morning, smiling and make them breakfast.... every morning!

Me: (not even insulted) Knock yourself out Darling. (take another drink of coffee and watch her plate the cooked French toast... patting self on the back for helping her "learn" how to cook).