Keeping it real

This past weekend Emma had a blast entertaining her Aunt Margaret, Uncle Dominic and baby Patrick. She is such a wonderful big cousin! She helped feed Patrick and gave him lots of attention and hugs. Emma also loved having another doting aunt to play games with her. Duck, Duck, Goose and butterfly matching were big hits. On the last night that our family was visiting, Emma told Aunt Susan that she didn't want them to leave in a sweet, dripping with sentiment and not whining kind of way; it was very dear.

A day or two later in the week Steve, Emma and I were eating dinner at the table. Emma started talking about how she got to sit on the big chairs because baby Patrick was sitting in her chair and then she said something about wanting to be like baby Patrick.
Daddy (soothing and trying to make her see that she is special): Emma, as great as baby Patrick is we would never want to switch. We love you and want you to be who you are right here with us. We want Emma to be in that chair.
Emma: why?
Mommy: because you are our little bear cub.
Emma: and because I fall off of the big chairs.
(Laughter abounds)
Daddy: Yes, Emma, we want you to be safe.
Mommy (to Daddy): all that sentimental heart-warming stuff and she says that.
Daddy: Oh, Emma, you are just keeping it real, aren't you?

PS The picture is of Emma trying on a Great Horned Owl mask for the Wonder Bugs program. I added feathers to the "horns" later.