Hayden and the Higher Powers

Hayden asked me the other day why we have five toes on each foot.

"That's the way G-d made us," I told her.

She was silent for a second and then told me, "There's no such thing as G-d."

Now it was my turn to be silent, but I couldn't think of exactly how to discuss metaphysical concepts with my four-year-old. So I decided to drop it, hoping Hebrew School could succeed where I have failed. She does love synagogue though.


Not to suggest that Hayden doesn't believe in a source of ultimate power. We were discussing a present she wanted and I told her that she couldn't have it. She fought me for a while about it and I finally put my foot down and said, "Hayden, I'm the boss!"

She calmly looked up at me and said, "No you're not. Mommy is."

When you're right, you're right.


Speaking of metaphysical, I turned off the lights in Hayden's room so she could get some sleep. She looked around and said, "The only thing I can see is nothing."


Earlier that night we were reading a Hello Kitty book of colors and Hayden likes to say what all the pictures are. When we got to the Green page, they had a picture of peas in a pod.

But my little City Girl takes one look and exclaims "Edamame!" I'm, as always, very proud.

Hayden Is So Continental

If Hayden wants to answer a question affirmatively, she lately tends to say "oui, oui, oui."

She then always adds, helpfully, "That means 'yes, yes, yes.'"


When Hayden makes mistakes lately she says "Wow, my head is so silly today."

Hayden's Hands

We were telling Hayden that she shouldn't grab something out of Marley's hands.

She said, "I didn't do it."

"What are you talking about? I saw you do it." Beth responded.

"My hands did it, not me." Hayden answered back.

I told her not to listen if any boys ever try that "my hands have a mind of their own" trick.

More from Marley

Necessary background: We have friends in the neighborhood with three adorable kids: George, Andrew and Caroline.

Anyway, we were traveling south on the New Jersey Turnpike past the Newark airport and I was pointing out to Hayden the long line of airplanes that were waiting to land.

I said, "They must be coming from Florida. And maybe also North Carolina."

Marley piped up "And George and Andrew too?"

Maybe you had to be there.


For another one that maybe you had to hear yourself from Marley . . .

Marley was about to go to school and I was still getting dressed in my room. So she burst through the door with her arms wide open and said "I didn't get a hug from you."

She also likes to ask "Daddy, will you snuggle with me" when she wants to sit on my lap and watch TV.

Ah, Heaven.

Chewbacca for President

Politics in the Reiner house are somewhat unusual...
The NYT Week in Review had Obama and McCain on the front page.
Marley was very excited. She pointed at it and said, "Barack Obama!"
She then paused for a minute and said, "I vote for Chewbacca" and then added "You vote for Princess Leia."