Self esteem and an alias

When I found out we were having girls, I became committed to making sure they had healthy self esteem. As this exchange shows, it turns out that I shouldn't have worried:

Me: Hayden, I was looking through old pictures trying to find a picture of Sandra (our wonderful nanny) for her birthday card and I saw lots of pictures of you as a baby. I forgot how smiley, happy and cute you were as a baby.

Hayden: When I was a baby, did you know how pretty I was going to grow up to be?

Me: Well, I did hope that you would grow up to be as pretty as mommy.

Hayden: I'm actually prettier than mommy, you know.

Me: Nobody's prettier than mommy, Hayden.

[short pause]

Hayden: Well, I think I'm prettier than mommy . . .



When Beth or I come home for the last few days, Marley runs to the door and greets us the same way:

"Here comes The Tushie!"

I'm not sure if this is her superhero alter ego, her school nickname, or what. But it's pretty cute.



I took the girls out for Ben & Jerry's one night and we were walking home. Hayden wanted to stop in at Duane Reade and buy a toy or magazine or something and I said no.

Hayden started whining and complaining in a way that was completely disproportionate to the slight she suffered, leading to this exchange:

Me: You know Hayden, I think you girls are spoiled. I give you too much stuff.

[short pause]

Hayden: You know, you really didn't do anything that great.

She instantly took it back, but it was a pretty good point.